Herbs glabrous except for calyx and corolla. Stems erect, to 1 m tall, often branched from upper axils. Leaves opposite, sessile; leaf blade obovate-elliptic, ovate, or ovate-oblong, up to 4-6(-10) × 2-4(-5) cm, uppermost leaves often conspicuously smaller than lower, papery, abaxially glaucous, base cordate, basal lobes sometimes clasping stem, apex acute; lateral veins 8-10 pairs. Inflorescences extra-axillary and terminal, umbel-like or lax; peduncle 0.5-6 cm. Pedicel ca. 4 mm. Sepals ovate, 1-1.5 × ca. 0.5 mm; basal glands minute. Corolla yellow-green or yellow-brown to purple, rotate; tube ca. 0.5 mm; lobes oblong, 2.5-3.5 × ca. 1 mm, obtuse, puberulent in center. Corona deeply 5-lobed; lobes flattened, ovate, base stipitate, apex rounded to obscurely 3-toothed, as long as corolla tube and gynostegium. Anthers rhomboid, appendages rounded, membranous, as long as anther; pollinia oblong. Stigma head slightly convex. Follicles lanceolate in outline, 5-7(-8) cm × 5-8(-11) mm, glabrous. Seeds oblong-ovate, ca. 5 × 2 mm, dark brown; coma ca. 2 cm, brownish.

Diuretic and febrifuge (decoction of root)

Flora of China
Plants For A Future

The entire plant is used medicinally for traumatic injury, rheumatic arthralgia, and swelling.