Rootstock small with adventitious roots. Stem suberect to erect. Leaves 25-70 x 11-39 mm, with 4-21 cm petiole; ovate to ovate-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, base rounded to cordate; nerves convergent. Inflorescence soon deflexed. Pedicel c. 7 mm long. Flowers buds lilac-blue. Perianth blue, spotted red, 8-8.5 mm long, oblong, subacute. Stamens c. half as long as the perianth. Ovary ovoid, 3 mm long; style c. 2 mm long, stigma 3-lobed. Capsule ovoid, c. 1 cm long. Seeds 1 mm long, elongated, ribbed longitudinally, transversely striated.

Fl. Per.: July-November.

Type: Not designated.

Distribution: SE Asia to China, Japan and throughout Malaysia.

Found in Marshy places, rice fields, from plains up to 1550 m but not common in our area. The vegetative parts of the plant vary in size and shape; the flowers are ephemeral (Backer and Heemstede, l.c.). Parts of the plants are used as a vegetable; root is chewed to cure toothache; bark used medicinally for asthma.