Rhizome moniliform or tuber-like, terete, 1-2 cm thick. Stem erect up to 90 cm, glabrous. Leaves in whorls of 3-6, rarely a few alternate or opposite in lower part of the stem, sessile 6-10 (-15) cm x 2-5.5 mm, tip usually cirrhose or curved, margin. Inflorescence 2-3 flowered; flowers pendulous, peduncle 5-15 mm long, bracts 3-4 mm, white; pedicel 4-6 mm long. Perianth white, 8-11 mm long, slightly constricted in middle, lobes c. 2 mm long. Filaments c. 5 mm long, anther c. 2.5 mm long, style c. 2 mm. Berries 8-9 mm in diameter, red or purple-red, 4-9 seeded.

Fl.Per.: June

Type: Wallich, Asiat. Res. 13: t 5. 1839.

Distribution: China, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal; India and Pakistan (Gilgit).

This is the first record of this species from Pakistan.

Herb is used as a tonic and vulnerary; leaves are eaten as vegetable (Ambasta et al., Useful Plants of India: 478. 1986).