A slender, spreading or ascending, smooth, more or less branched, annual herb reaching a length of 50 centimeters or less. Leaves are linear, and 1 to 3 centimeters long. Flowers are white, 3-millimeter-long, and occur singly in the axils of the leaves; the pedicels are about as long as the calyx. Capsules are ovoid, about 4 millimeters long, and not protruded beyond the calyx-segments.

Alterative, anodyne, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, cardiotonic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge and sedative (whole plant).

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Used internally in the treatment of fevers, coughs, asthma, jaundice, impure blood, urinary tract infections, acute appendicitis, biliousness and cancers of the digestive tract, and externally, in the treatment of snake bites, boils, abscesses and severe bruising (whole plant).