Aboveground parts die back to the ground in fall. Stems erect, glabrous. Generally more robust than yellow toadflax . 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.