The comma is a medium-sized nymphalid named for the small white comma-shaped mark on its cryptic, leaf-like hindwing underside; its ragged wing margins are distinctive even at rest. Adults visit a wide range of garden flowers including buddleia in summer and autumn-flowering sedums as they build reserves before hibernation, and they also take tree sap and overripe fruit. Larvae feed mainly on stinging nettle but also use hop, elm, willow, and currant. The species is expanding its northern range in Britain and is an increasingly regular garden visitor.

Nectar plants · 3

Broadly distributed from western Europe east through temperate Asia to Japan, and south into North Africa; absent from the Americas. This is a distinct species from the North American eastern comma (Polygonia comma). It is currently expanding northward in Britain.