A perennial growing to 1m. Leaves usually verticillate, ovate-elliptic, 4-8cm long, dentate. Flowers tubular campanulate, slightly urceolate, 8-13mm long, in many-flowered erect panicle. Fruit is usually a capsule or berry.

Antifungal, cardiotonic and expectorant (root).

Plants For A Future

The root is used to treat bronchial catarrh and coughs, especially where there is excess phlegm, feverishness and thirst.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 46, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.