Hypoestes forsskaolii (Vahl) R.Br.

Stoloniferous herb. Leaves ovate, acuminate, entire, attenuate at base, 19-76 x 4.4-35 mm, rough when dry, with trichomes and cystoliths. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, of monochasial cymes (inflorescence unit) surrounded by tertiary bracts and compounded in scorpioid cymes. Bracts glandular-pubescent; secondary bracts 2, free, but clasping at the base, lanceolate; tertiary bracts lanceolate with obtuse apex, 1 pair subtending each flower, those of major flower connate for half their length and enclosing the inflorescence unit; quaternary bracts, 1 pair subtending each flower, those of major flower opposite and adnate to tertiary bracts. Calyx tube 3.5-4 mm long, 5-lobed, lobes 3.5-4 mm long. Corolla 14.1-21.8 mm long, pubescent and glandular, white, pink or light lilac, with dark purple honey guides; lip in lower position variously shaped, but usually narrowly trullate or ovate, tip entire or emargjnate. Stamens with curved glandular trichomes on the filaments. Disc with two distinct awns. Fruit 7.5-10.5 x 1.7 mm. Seeds asperous. Markedly protandrous and hercogamous. Two forms of this widespread and highly variable species are recognizable in southern Africa, but have not been given formal taxonomic status. This species occurs throughout Africa and until a revision over its whole range is completed, it does not seem taxonomically responsible to proliferate infra-specific names. The typical form has narrow leaves (24-35 x 4.4-13 mm), frequent short cystoliths.

It is a subtropical and tropical plant. It grows in dry locations. It grows from sea level to about 2,000 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It grows in woodland and coastal sands. It grows in open spaces.