Prostrate, diffuse prickly herb; prickles up to 15 mm long, yellow. Stem and branches glabrous to stellate pubescent. Leaves 30-80 x 25-50 mm, elliptic-oblong, sinuate to deeply lobed, dark-green above; lobes unequal, obtuse or acute, often toothed or lobulate. Flowers 2-4, purple; on peduncled cymes. Peduncle 10-20 mm long. Calyx lobes 5 mm long, acute, prickly. Corolla limb 2-2.8 cm broad; lobes 10-12 mm long, ovate-triangular. Anthers 7.5 mm long, elongated. Berry globose, 15-20 mm broad. Seeds discoid, smooth to faintly reticulate.

Fl. Per.: Mostly throughout the year.

Type: In insula Zuratta, D. Garcin (G).

Distribution: N. Africa, S. & S.E. Asia, Australia and Polynesia.

A common species throughout much of the country up to 1300 m, with pretty purple flowers; white flowered forms are uncommon. The plant parts are medicinal, being used variously as an expectorant (root), for sore throat (berries). and to relieve local pain (leaves), (Dymok, Reprint edit. 1972, Pharm. Ind. 303).