Much-branched perennial herb with white latex, erect, up to 2m tall,completely glabrous or hairy at stem, sometime tinged reddish-purple. Leaves alternate at base, opposite to verticillate above, sessile, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, apex apiculate,  base cuneate, 15 x 2 cm.  Flowers in terminal, cymose umbel, surrounded by triangular sessile bracts, inconspicuous, usually one female flower consisting only of the ovary, and numerous, very reduced mmale flowers, consisting mainly of the stamens, present, 1-4x1-2 cm. Fruit a 3-lobed capsule, up to 0.5 cm in diameter.

A paste of the leaves pounded in water is made and the liquid drunk as a remedy for cough and colds. In Rwanda, the leaves are used to treat poisoning, psoriasis, dermatosis, rheumatism and otitis media. Leaf powder is applied to impetigo and stubborn skin infections. A leaf and root decoction  is taken as a purgative. An infusionof the aerial parts is taken as a purgative, to treat venereal diseases and as an anthelmintic.