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A rather coarse, rigid, erect, hairy herb 30 to 60 cm high. Stems
forked, and the few and stiff.
Leaves: mostly in basal rosette and oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate,
10-25 cm in length and often very much notched on the margins. Those
on the stem few and much smaller.
Flowers: Corolla 8-10 mm long, purple. Flowering heads borne in
clusters at the end of the branches and usually enclosed by 3
leaflike bracts which are ovate to oblong-ovate, 1 to 1.5 cm long,
and heart-shaped at the base. The flowering heads many-crowded in
each cluster. Each head comprises about 4 flowers. Involucral bracts
8 to 10 mm long.
Fruits: achenes, ribbed. Pappus from 4 to 6 mm long with rigid
bristles.
Medical use: Leaves serve as astringent, and lactagogue; against
dysentery, fever, malaria, cough and aphthae. Root cures malaria,
anemia, cough, diarrhea and stomatitis. Against conjuctivitis, and
cures scable. Use a emollient and whole plant for muscle sprain. |
