A low-growing, annual plant. The stems are about 45 cm long and generally prostrate. The bright green ovate sessile leaves grow opposite. The leaves are sessile, ovate, many-ribbed, opposite or ternate, dotted with purple at the back; the peduncles longer than the leaves the sepals linear-lanceolate, about equaling the petals; the petals obovate, obtuse, longer than the stamens, and crenate-glandular. The flowers are opposite, small, but beautiful, with scarlet petals opening at 8 o'clock, a. m., and closing at 2 p. m.; in damp weather not open at all. The stamens are purple, hairy, dilated and smooth at the base. Anthers yellow and heart-shaped. Style purple and permanent. Stigma capitate. The capsule is pale and transparent, the size of a pea, separating all round, the valves marked with some indications of longitudinal separations which seldom take effect. The seeds are roughish, abrupt externally, each with a central dot.

Antitussive, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, nervine, purgative, stimulant and vulnerary (whole herb)

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Plants for a Future
King's American Dispensatory

In epilepsy and mental problems (flowers); in the treatment of dropsy, skin infections and disorders of the liver and gall bladder