A semi-prostrate perennial herb; taproot slender, wavy with many lateral branches; stems more or less ascending, 30 to 50 cm high, branched, round, sparsely to very hairy. Leaves simple, opposite, lanceolate to ovate, 3 to 7 cm long, 1 to 4 cm wide, with irregularly toothed margins; base wedge-shaped, shortly-petioled, hairy on both surfaces. Inflorescence a terminal involucrate flower head or capitulum, 1 to 2 cm across, solitary on erect peduncle 10 to 25 cm long; involucre 3-seriate, ovate, acute to shortly acuminate, 5 to 6 mm long; receptacle with oblong, hairy scales; ray flowers 3-dentate, few, pale yellow; disk flowers 5-dentate, tubular, yellow to brownish-yellow, with recurved hairy segments. Fruit a black achene covered with fine, pale hairs giving a grayish-brown appearance, 2 mm long, 1 mm wide at apex, base narrow; pappus in one row of wide scales, unequal in length, 5 to 6 mm long.

Antiseptic, insecticide and parasiticide (leaf juice).

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)

Beta-sitosterol, tannin (plant); fumaric acid (leaf); isoquercetin, luteolin, quercetin (flower).

Used medicinally against bronchial catarrh, dysentery, and diarrhoea (leaves).