Annual herbs, 5-20 cm tall, mostly unbranched, stem quadrangular, angles scabrid. Leaves opposite and verticillate, 2-5 x 0.5-0.7 cm linear or narrowly elliptic, ± sessile, acute and attenuate, margin and midrib beneath scabrid, with 2-3 pairs of lateral nerves; stipules ± glabrous above, with 3-4 setae, 2-3 mm long. Inflorescence axillary with dense globose heads, 5-10 mm in diameter; bracteoles filiform, longer than calyx. Calyx pubescent; teeth filiform, c. 1.25 mm long, almost equalling the corolla-tube. Corolla white, c. 2 mm long, lobes c. 1 mm long. Stamens with long filaments, anthers c. 0.7 mm long; style c. 2.5 mm long, stigma subglobose. Capsule 2-2.5 mm long, narrowed at base, pubescent above, glabrous below. Seeds polished, shining, 1.75-2 x 0.7 mm.

Fl. Per.: July-September.

Type: Nepal, Wall. Cat. No. 823 (K).

Distribution: Tropical Africa, tropical Asia, Pakistan to Japan and Philippines.

A species of damp and shady places; ascending up to 1200 m.