A glabrous herb, about a foot in height, with a stout perennial rootstock and unbranched stems, bearing a few alternate, sessile, elliptic or ovate, leathery leaves.

As a purgative (crushed rootstocks);

Plants for a Future

The sap contains a latex which is toxic on ingestion and highly irritant externally, causing photosensitive skin reactions and severe inflammation, especially on contact with eyes or open cuts.

Sharma PV. Classical Uses of Medicinal Plants.