Rhizome moniliform or tuberous terete, 1-2 cm thick. Stem erect or scandent, 30-90 cm, glabrous. Leaves in whorls of 3-6, rarely also a few alternate in proximal part of stem, sessile, narrowly linear to linear-lanceolate, very rarely oblong-lanceolate, 4-9 mm, apex usually cirrose at anthesis. Inflorescences usually 2-flowered; peduncle 3-10 mm; bracts 1-2 mm, scarious, veinless, or bract absent. Flowers pendulous; pedicel 3-8 mm. Perianth white, greenish, or pale purple, subcylindric, slightly constricted in middle, 8-11 mm; lobes ca. 2 mm. Filaments 0.6-0.8 × ca. 0.15 mm, papillose; anthers 2-2.5 mm. Ovary ca. 2.5 mm. Style ca. 2 mm. Berries red or purple-red, 8-9 mm in diam., 4--9-seeded.

Cardiotonic, sialagogue, stimulant and tonic (roots)

Plants for a Future

Used in the treatment of loss of vigour, pain in the kidneys and hips, swelling and fullness in the abdominal region, accumulation of fluids in bone joints, skin eruptions and coughs.