Scruby herb which may reach  1 – 2.50 m of height. The stems derive from a ligneous stump. The leaves are opposite whith a petiole of 0 -1 cm long. The leaf limb of 3 – 14.5 cm long  and  1.4 – 5.8 cm wide is spear shaped, oval, or elliptic.   Flowers of red color  are kept in axillary, terminal inflorescences of  2 -6.5 cm wide.

The juice of poundered leaves, mixed with a little is drunk as a drastic purgative. A decocyion of the roots is taken as a remedy for gonorrhea and syphilis. Ts and lees are also boiled to make a form of tea which is given to children as a tonic. Mitari Emmanuel uses different preparation of Pentas zanzibarica var. rubra in combination with Vernonia adeonsis to treat skin diseases, mental diseases and cirhosis.