Ragged Robin is a medium to tall perennial. The red flower petals are deeply cleft, giving a ragged look. The upper leaves are sparse and narrow, the lower ones rounder. The stem, reddish looking and slightly downy, is sticky towards the top. The calyx is red and bloated with purple veins.
The plant grows in many marshes and fens and is conspicuous. Butterflies visit the flowers which produce honey.
The flowers appear in June and July.
Ragged Robin is common in Europe, and has been introduced in North America.