An erect annual herb, 0.5—3 m tall, stems glabrous, purplish. Leaves broadly ovate-orbicular, variable, 6—15 cm long, lobes 3—5, oblong to lanceolate, glabrous or pubescent, purplish, petiole 5—10 cm long. Flowers, borne singly in the leaf axils, are up to 5 in (12.5 cm) wide; red calyx, consisting of 5 large sepals with a collar (epicalyx) of 8 to 12 slim, pointed bracts (or bracteoles) around the base, begins to enlarge, becomes fleshy, crisp but juicy, 1 1/4 to 2 1/4 in (3.2-5.7 cm) long and fully encloses the velvety capsule, 1/2 to 3/4 in (1.25-2 cm) long, which is green when immature, 5-valved, with each valve containing 3 to 4 kidney-shaped, light-brown seeds, 1/8 to 3/16 in (3-5 mm) long and minutely downy. The capsule turns brown and splits open when mature and dry. Seed reniform, almost glabrous, black brown.

Antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, digestive, purgative and resolvent (whole plant); emollient, diuretic, refrigerant, antiscorbutic and sedative (decoction of whole plant); emollient (leaves); antiscorbutic (fruits); diuretic, laxative and tonic (seeds).

Plants For A Future
PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Aspartic acid (plant); acetic acid, anisaldehyde, benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, butyric acid, calcium oxalate, campesterol, caprylic acid, ethanol, formic acid, isoamyl alcohol, methanol, propionic acid (fruit); ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, glycolic acid, malic acid, niacin, oxalic acid, riboflavin, thiamin (flower); anthocyanin, delphinidin, pectin, sucrose (calyx); beta-sitosterol, cholesterol, ergosterol, linoleic acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, sterculic acid (seed); tartaric acid (root)

Used as a poultice is used on abscesses and ulcers and also as a cough remedy (leaves); reduces blood pressure and stimulates intestinal peristalsis (infusion of leaves); shows diuretic and choleretic effects, decreasing the viscosity of the blood, reducing blood pressure and stimulating intestinal peristalsis (flowers); as a folk remedy in the treatment of abscesses, bilious conditions, cancer, cough, debility, dyspepsia, dysuria, fever, hangover, heart ailments, hypertension, neurosis, scurvy, and strangury.