A   pubescent semi – woody aromatic herb of 2-5 m tall with profoundly cracked squared stem, pooly pubescent. Leaf petiole is long of 0.5 -2.5 cm. Leaf blade is oval to oval lanceolate of 4 – 12 cm long and 2-5.5 cm wide.Inflorescence is a terminal spike of 2-5 cm long.

is used in Ethiopian medicine  against eye and skin infections, “ Mitch disease”, and dysentery. Mitari Emmanuel, a tradipractician in the Western Province of Rwanda uses macerations and decoctions of pounded leaves of Pycnostachys eminii to treat respiratory disease and mental diseases  

Is cultivated as a hedge.