More or less erect branched  annual herb with ribbed stems up to 1m high, usually smaller. Leaves ovate-elliptic to elliptic –lancelate  in outline, up to 8x3 cm, usually with 3 unequally deep lobes on each side. Flowers in 2-5-flowered clusters in the axils of bracts, together appearing as spike-like terminal or axillary inflorescences, 25-40 cm long. The fruit is an erect or spreading, trigonous nut, 5-7 mm  long with three prickled in the middle of the angles, pubescent.

In Rwanda, grounded whole plant of Oxygonum sinuatum mixted with a few water is used to treat boils, said Nshigarije Daniel, a TMPs in Kigali. In Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya the leaves of oxygonum sinuatum are eaten raw or boiled as a vegetable. Medically the leaves are applied  as a polticeon boils, and stems are chewed to treat tonslitis.The leaf juice is used to treat fungal infections of legs and feet and to treat eye infections. The roots are used for the treatment of venereal diseases, skin infection, a strong decoction of leaves treat threadworms. Cold infusion of pounded whole plant treat diabetes.

edible plant leaves raw or cooked are eaten as vegetable.