Description: Erect perennial sub shrub, with reddish-purple, glabrous stem. Leaves simple, ovate to lanceolate, villous, long attenuate at base. Flowers small, in axillary and terminal long pedunculate, white globose heads. Perianth-segments 5, greenish-white. Stamens 5. Fruit ellipsoid, brown utricle.

Uses: It is a common exotic weed. Ornamental varieties of this species are planted in gardens. Leaves are rich in iron and are recommended as leafy vegetable to increase haemoglobin content of the blood.