Parietaria zeylanica Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1052. 1753; Pouzolzia indica (Linnaeus) Gaudichaud-Beaupré; P. indica var. alienata (Linnaeus) Weddell; Urtica alienata Linnaeus.

Stems erect or ascending, few-branched. Leaves opposite or alternate on lower part of stems, leaf blades ovate, 1.2-3.8 × 0.6-2.6 cm, smallest near stem apex.

Grasslands, thickets by streams, sunny and somewhat moist places by rice fields; 300-800(-1300) m. S Anhui (Huang Shan), Fujian, S Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, E and S Yunnan, W Zhejiang [India, Indonesia, Japan, Kashmir, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; Australia, Maldives, Polynesia, Yemen (Socotra); introduced in Africa and the New World].