Stems procumbent to semierect, slightly to moderately branched, elongate, sometimes reddish at base and nodes, glandular-pubescent, viscid. Leaves petiole 0.5-8 cm; blade ovate to triangular or lanceolate, 3-12 × 1-8 cm, margins entire to subsinuate and slightly undulate, adaxial surface glandular-pubescent, abaxial surface more densely and longer pubescent, or sometimes villous. Inflorescences peduncle longer than subtending petiole; bracts linear-lanceolate to oval-ovate, 7-25 × 2-12 mm, scarious, glandular-puberulent to short villous; flowers 30-80. Perianth tube greenish to reddish purple, 10-25 mm, limb white, (2-)6-10 mm diam. Fruits winged or not, fusiform and appearing deeply grooved when wingless, when wings not distorted, fruit ± cordate in profile, tapered at base, with prominent beak in broad notch at apex, 5-12 × 2.5-7 mm, indurate, rugose veined or, if wings distorted, fruit ± rhombic in profile and tapered at both ends, or obdeltate and truncate at apex, with prominent beak; wings 4-5, thick, narrow, not dilated at apex, cavities extending throughout; peripheral fruits often distorted, S-shaped in lateral view.

Cathartic, diaphoretic and emetic (plant)

Plants for a Future

To treat stomach cramps and as a general panacea or 'life' medicine (roots and flowers); as a lotion for sores or sore mouths and also to bathe perspiring feet (cold infusion).