Shrubs up to 25(-100) cm tall, sometimes prostrate, shoots partly subterreanean. Branchlets gray-green or more rarely yellow-green, apex often curved or twisted, internodes 1.5-5 cm long, up to 2 mm across. Leaves opposite, connate for 1/3-2/3 their length, free part triangular, apex obtuse or subacute. Pollen cones solitary or in clusters of 3 at apex of short branchlets, often pedunculate; bracts in 4 pairs; staminal column ca. 2 mm, exserted, with 7 or 8 sessile or shortly stipitate anthers. Seed cones terminal in short branchlets or axillary, narrowly ovoid; bracts in 3 or 4 pairs, with narrow, membranous margins, apical pair connate for ca. 1/3 their length, red and fleshy at maturity; integument tube 1-1.5 mm, straight. Fruit globose, 6-7 mm across, red. Seeds usually 2, dark brown, glossy, ovoid, 4-5 × 2-3 mm, smooth.

Stimulant and cardiotonic (plant); antitussive, diuretic, diaphoretic, febrifuge, hypertensive, nervine, tonic and vasoconstrictor (stem)

The Gymnosperm Database
Plants For A Future
Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases

The plant is used to relieve acute muscular and rheumatic pains, and for treating scabies and syphilis. They are widely used in preparations for the treatment of asthma and catarrh. The plant also has antiviral effects, particularly against influenza. The stems are used internally in the treatment of asthma, hay fever and allergic complaints.

1. Should be used with great caution, preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
2. Should not be prescribed to patients who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or suffering from high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism or glaucoma.