Botany
Earect and branched plant, about 20 to 80 cm in height. Leaves are narrowly ovate, 4-10 cm long. Involucres are crowded, about 1 cm long, calyx-like, with one flower. The perianth is white, purple, or yellow, 3-4 cm long, with a slightly enlarged and upward cylindrical tube and a spreading limb. Fruit is narrowly ovoid, about 8 mm long, black and finely ribbed.

Distribution
Througout the Philippines in settled areas; cultivated and spontaneous.

Chemical constituents and characteristics
Roots contain oxymethylanthroquinone.
Plant contains trigonelline, an alkaloid, that possess a purgative action.
Also contains galactose and arabinose.
Tubers are weekly purgative and emetic.

Parts used
Leaves, roots, tubers.

Folkloric uses
Pounded seed use for making cosmetic powders.
Juice of leaves are soothing when applied to areas of urticaria.
Bruised leaves as poultices for boils and abscesses.
Juices of leaves used internally for gonorrhea.
Infusion of leaves used as a diuretic.

Commercial availability
Wild-crafted.