Perennial plant as high as 40 cm. Leaves glabrous above, antrorse strigillose on margins and below, oblong-linear, sessile, mucronate, to 3cm long, 8-9mm broad. Corolla white, 4-lobed, glabrous externally. Corolla tube to 2mm long, glandular pubescent at apex of throat internally. Lobes 3-4mm long. Stamens 4, alternating with corolla lobes, slightly exserted, adnate at apex of corolla tube. Filaments .5mm long. Anthers .3mm long, brownish. Ovary 2-carpellate, inferior, densely uncinate pubescent, subglobose. Styles 2, translucent, 1mm long. Stigmas globose.

Antispasmodic, cardiac, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative (leaves); in the treatment of insomnia and nervous tension, varicose veins, biliary obstruction, hepatitis and jaundice (infusion)

Kemper Center for Home Gardening
Plants for a Future

Anthraquinones, asperuloside, citric acid, coumarin, malic acid, nicotinic acid, tannic acid, tannin (plant)

To wounds and cuts, in the treatment of digestive and liver problems. In thrombophlebitis and varicose veins; digestive maladies, insomnia and irritability (related to nervousness) and as a diuretic for those with hypertension.

Can be toxic while inducing dizziness in higher dosages.

Stary, The Natural Guide to Medicinal Herbs and Plants.