An annual herb with fibrous root system; stems at first erect, later decumbent, rooting at the nodes, up to 4 dm long, glabrous or nearly so. Leaves narrowly to broadly lanceolate, 3.5-11 cm long, 0.8-2 cm wide, upper surface glabrous to sparsely scabrous, lower surface glabrous, apex acute to acuminate, base rounded to cuneate, sheath 1-2 cm long, ciliate on the upper edge (hairs translucent or whitish), otherwise glabrous to sparsely puberulent. Spathe normally solitary, semi-ovate, 0.8—2 cm long, apex acute or acuminate, glabrescent, margins free, upper raceme with 1—3 male flowers, lower raceme with 1—5 bisexual flowers, peduncles usually exserted from spathe. Capsule ovoid, 6-7 mm long, 3-celled, usually 5-seeded, 1 seed larger. Seed 2-3 mm long, black, reticulate, ridged on one side.

Antibacterial and antifungal (plant)

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)
Traditional herbal remedies fight disease

Used for poulticing sores (mucilage of stem); for irregular menstruation (crushed leaves and stems)