Stems erect to ascending, usually less than 1 m tall, glabrous or glandular hairy near the top. Root fragments can produce new plants. Roots can associate with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae. Dalmatian toadflax roots can penetrate soil to depths of 2 m or more. Lateral roots are typically 5-20 cm below the soil surface and can extend outwards to 3.5 m in all directions.
Flowers showy, yellow, snapdragon-like .
Stamens 4, in 2 pairs. Racemes elongate, dense or open, erect or drooping at the tips. Corolla bright yellow , sometimes whitish, 1.5-3.5 cm long including spur. Throat and lower lip orange-hairy. Seed occasionally resembles that of yellow toadflax , possibly due to hybridization.