Woodruff is green and grows herbaceous up to 50 cm high. The stems of the plant are glabrous and bear several whorls of leaves with several narrow leaves that look almost star-shaped. The flowers are small and white. After the woodruff has flowered, the white flowers produce burdock-like seeds.

In the kitchen, various delicacies can be conjured up from the plant: traditionally the classic May punch, but also syrup or woodruff ice cream.