A perennial, erect, pubescent herb, 10—25 cm tall, branching from the base. Lower leaves ovate, small, upper leaves elliptical to linear-lanceolate, 3—27 mm x 1—10 mm, apex acuminate. Raceme terminal and lateral, 1—10 cm long, bracts caducous; flowers 5—6 mm long, sepals lanceolate, ciliate, wings ovate-lanceolate, 4—6 mm x 1.5—3 mm, acuminate, 3-veined, upper petals equalling or shorter than the keel, keel 4—5 mm long, with 2 clusters of filiform appendages. Capsule obcordate, about 5.5 mm in diameter, wing 0.5—0.75 mm long, ciliate. Seed rounded, at micropylar side with an unequally 3-lobed aril, black, hairy.

Acts as a kidney tonic (leaves); diuretic, expectorant, antiseptic, haemolytic and sedative (roots); analgesic, diuretic, expectorant and nervine (plant).

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

Used in the treatment of spermatorrhoea (leaves); to lower the blood pressure and in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, insomnia, infantile convulsions, amnesia, sexual impotency etc (roots).