Annual up to 35 cm long. Stem glabrous to sparsely pubescent. Leaves sub-orbiculate to obovate, 1.5-2.6 cm long, 0.6-2.5 cm broad, obtuse or acute; petiole 4-11 mm long, papillose to glabrous, base dilated, clasping, calyculate, with 2 lateral stipular appendages. Flowers axillary solitary, sessile. Calyx tube closely sheathed by the leaf base; sepals 5, oblong, 2.5-3.0 mm long, shortly aristate. Stamens 10-15, unequal, filaments 1.5-2.2 mm long. Ovary c. 2 mm long, more or less conical; style 1, linear, 1.5-2.0 mm long, persistent. Pyxidium c. 4 mm long; amphora 4-5-seeded, lid 2.5-3.0 mm broad. Seeds c. 2 mm broad, black, rugose.

Fl. Per.: May-October.

Type: S. America, Curacao, Hermann (lecto-,BM).

Distribution: Tropical America, Africa, W. Asia, Ceylon, India and W. Pakistan.

Fairly common as a weed in waste places during monsoon. Found in the plains up to 800 m alt.s.m. Can be used as a fodder for cattle.