Robust prickly low-growing diffusely branched shrub; stems armed with broad-based, straight or downward-pointing prickles and clothed in a mixture of stellate and simple glandular or nonglandular hairs (viscid-pubescent). Leaves alternate, simple, clearly petioled (these also prickly); blades oval-triangular, nearly as broad as long, to 20 cm (8 in) long and 15 cm (6 in) wide, angular-lobed; surfaces dense with fine soft hairs giving blades a velvety sheen (hairs a mix of types as on stems); veins prickly. Flowers white, in small terminal clusters; 5 petals white, recurved; stamens with prominent cream-colored anthers. Fruit a globose berry, 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) wide, green with dark veining, like a tiny watermelon, when immature, dull medium yellow when ripe; seeds about 400 per berry.

Counteracts hyperactivity due to amphetamines, stimulates the central nervous system and alleviates spasms (plant).

Solamargine, solasonine and khasianine (fruit); solasodine, diosgenin and beta-sitosterol (aerial part); nautigenin and iso-nautigenin (root).

Synthesis of corticosteroids (fruit); In dysentery (Leaf and root juice); in hyperactivity (plant).

Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.