Annual or short-lived perennial herb, erect or prostrate at base, rooting at nodes, often strongly branched upwards. Leaves opposite, simple, mostly dentate. Flower heads radiate or discoid, terminal or axillary from upper leaves, usually solitary, erect. Fruit a small, dry, hard, 1-seeded achene.

Grows in upland fields and wastelands, and along roadsides and riversides. Propagated by seed sowing or stem cutting.
Young leaves and flower heads are eaten raw, boiled, or in curries. Contains 89–93 g water, 2 g protein, 0.3 g fat, 3-7 g carbohydrates, 162 mg calcium, 41 mg phosphorus, 4 mg iron, 3900 IU vitamin A, 0.03 g vitamin B, and 20 mg vitamin C per 100-g serving.