It is obtained from the heather plant, which is an evergreen shrub with a prostrate stem from which erect branches grow, 25–80 centimeters tall. Heather has bell-shaped flowers with a pink-colored calyx.

It is widespread in Western Europe (from northern Norway to Iceland), the northern part of Asia Minor, and even in Western Siberia. From Europe, it was brought to North America and grows in its Atlantic part. In our country, it grows in coastal areas (from the northern to the southern coast), especially in the lower mountainous part facing south. It is often found in Lika (especially on Velebit).

It blooms from July to the end of October, depending on the climate of the region it grows in. It is most abundant in spring and autumn, when there is the most precipitation.