A small annual herb up to 50(-80) cm tall, with well developed erect to slightly ascending stems, upper part of stems with glandular hairs. Leaves opposite, linear-lanceolate to linear, 3-8 cm x 0.1-0.3(-0.4) cm, entire or distantly dentate, sparsely covered with short glandular hairs. Spike 0.5-1.5 cm long, dense, bracts ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, 3-8 mm long. Fruit about 2 mm long, 2-seeded. Seeds narrowly oblong or narrowly ellipsoidal, 2-3 mm long, smooth and reddish-brown.

Acts as a bulk laxative (seeds).

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

The mucilage obtained from the seeds helps to soothe irritated membranes of the gut and relieves habitual constipation.