Branched shrub, up to 1 in tall; branches glabrous. Leaves mostly sessile, opposite deccussate, 4-8-(16) x 1.5-6.5 cm. entire, apiculate, obtuse or mucronate, 8-15 pairs at lateral nerves, glabrous; stipules triangular, cuspidate or awned. Inflorescence terminal dense corymbiform cymes, peduncle very short or absent; bracts c. 8 mm long. Flowers sessile, bright scarlet hypanthium 1-1.5 mm long, glabrescent, teeth, c. 0.5 mm long, corolla-tube, 2.5-4.0 cm long, 1.5 mm wide, glabrous, lobes 8-10 x 4-5 mm, twisted in bud, throat glabrous. Stamens 4, inserted on the throat of corolla-tube, filaments very short, anthers deciduous, dehiscing just after opening of the flower when the stigma is immature, c. 2 mm long. Style exserted; stigma 1.5 mm long. Fruit globose, red when ripe, crowned with the calyx teeth. Seeds 2, planoconvex, rough and scaly.

Pl. Per.: Throughout the year.

Type: Described from India, Herb. Linn. 131/1 (LINN).

Distribution: Native of India (Western Peninsula); widely cultivated throughout India, Pakistan and the tropics of both hemispheres.

Flowers sacred to Shiva and Vishna; roots are also used medicinally.