An erect, branched, annual herb, up to 1.8 m tall, bearing multicellular, viscid-glandular hairs. Root system extensive but rather superficial. Leaves alternate, 15—20 per plant, rather variable; petiole 5—6 cm long, not winged; blade ovate, elliptical or subcircular, 10—70 cm x 8—25 cm, base obtuse, margin somewhat undulate, apex acuminate, surface often rugose. Inflorescence a terminal, slender or compact panicle of monochasial or dichasial branches; pedicel 3—10 mm long; calyx tubular, 8—16 mm long, ending in 5 small, subtriangular, unequal lobes; corolla tubular, tube 10—18 mm long, widening above into 5 half-circular, green-yellow lobes 3—7 mm long; stamens 5, inserted near the base of the corolla tube and not exserting, 4 about equally long, 1 a little shorter; pistil with superior ovary, long style and 2-lobed stigma. Fruit an ovoid to globose capsule, about 7—17 mm long, enclosed by the calyx. Seed ellipsoid to ovoid, about 1 mm long, testa brownish and finely pitted.

Narcotic (plant); antispasmodic, cathartic, emetic, narcotic and sedative (leaves).

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

Anabasine and nicotine (leaves)

Used externally as a poultice and a wash in the treatment of rheumatic swelling, skin diseases and scorpion stings (leaves).