Botany:
· An annual, erect, branched hirsute plant, 15 to 50 cm high.
· Leaves: opposite or alternate, ovate to oblong-ovate, somewhat hairy, acute or acuminate, base decurrent along the petiole, 3 to 8 cm long.
· Flowers: calyx green, 3.5 mm in diameter. Stamens 5, inserted on the corolla tube, included. Ovary completely or imperfectly 4-celled, 4 ovules, style terminal or leaf opposed, 3 to 10 cm long, flowers all in one side, the lower ones opening first.
· Fruits: dry 2- to 4-lobed of 2 or 4 nearly free, more or less united nutlets, 4 to 5 mm long.

Distribution
A common weed in waste places and settled areas, flowering the whole year round.

Parts used
· Entire plant.
· May be collected throughout the year.
· Rinse, use fresh.

Chemical constituents and properties
· No taste, cooling effect, insecticide-antidermatosis,
· Leaves are emollient and diuretic.
· Stems and leaves contain tannin and an alkaloidal principle.

Uses:
Folkloric
· Skin pruritus, scabies: use pounded fresh material (quantity sufficient combine with kerosene applied over the afflicted area.)
· Concentrated decoction may also be used as external wash over afflicted area.
· Decoction of dried roots used as emmenagogue.
· Mastication of seeds for stomachic effect.
· Decoction of leaves for washing cuts and sores.
· Poultice of pounded leaves or bruised leaves applied to wounds and boils; also, inflammed joints.
· Juice of leaves used for facial acne, gum-boils, sores and wounds.
· Decoction of leaves and flowers used as gargle for sore throats and tonsilitis.
· Flowers in small doses are emmenagogue; in large doses, abortive.
· Decoction of roots or any plant part used for asthma.
· Leaf juice given to infants for cough.

Availability
Wild-crafted.