A perennial herb, sometimes with woody base, up to 40 cm tall, much branched, covered by appressed short hairs. Leaves oblong to obovate, 1-1.5 cm x 0.3-0.4 cm, tapering towards the base, apex obtuse, with silky hairs, petiole 0.1-0.5 cm long. Inflorescence a spike-like cyme, up to 4 cm long, ebracteate, flowers variably densely arranged in two ranks; calyx densely covered by antrorse hairs, corolla funnel-shaped, 3 mm long, with dense antrorse hairs outside, lobes ovate-triangular to ovate, 0.8 mm long, white. Fruit consisting of 4 nutlets, densely antrorse hairy.

Acts as an analgesic.

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Used in the treatment of syphilis, both as a strong purgative and as a topical application to syphilitic ulcers, and also applied in hot poultices to treat severe pain.