A small, ascending to spreading, glabrous shrub up to 1.5 m tall; branches ascending to spreading, with swollen nodes. Leaves decussate; stipules linear, 2—3 mm long, membraneous; petiole 4—12 mm long; blade oblong-ovate to elliptical, 4—13.5 cm x 2—8.5 cm, base cuneate, margin crenate-serrate, apex obtuse to scarcely acuminate. Inflorescence a terminal raceme, consisting of 10—20, opposite spikes, each 2—5 cm long; flowers bisexual, without a perianth; the male part composed of a 3-lobed organ adnate to the ovary; ovary with subsessile stigma. Fruit a green or yellowish drupe, 4 mm x 2 mm. Seed 1, subglobose.

Diaphoretic and stimulant (bruised root).

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Used to treat coughs (infusion of flowers and leaves); as a poultice on carbuncles and boils and to cure malaria (bruised root).