Erect branching herb, 0.5-1.5 m high. Stem and branches slender, sparingly pubescent. Leaves thin-membranaceous, ovate to broadly ovate, 5-8 by 3.5-5.5 cm, acute, base broadly cuneate, often slightly oblique, entire, margin elsewhere crenate or double-crenate; sparingly puberulous or sometimes almost glabrous on both surfaces; petiole 1-3 cm, puberulous. Paniculate inflorescence 6-10 cm long, terminal; verticillasters globular, 0.5-1.5 cm apart at the base, more approximate upwards. Bracts narrowly lanceolate, 3-3.5 mm long, acute, puberulous. Calyx 3-3.5 mm long, in fruit 3.5-4 mm, outside tomentose; teeth equal, triangular. Corolla white, or the upper lip pale violet, 4.5-5 mm long, glabrous. Filaments exserted, almost straight, all bearded. Style shortly 2-branched. Nutlets obliquely ovoid, 0.5-0.6 mm long, black, smooth.
Moist regions at elevations up to 1,800 metres, especially in the montane zone. Thickets, old clearings, coconut plantations and stream banks, at elevations from sea-level up to 1,800 metres.
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Thickets, old clearings, coconut groves, stream banks in forest, from the lowland up to c. 1800 m. Fl. Jan.-Dec.
Uses. According to BURKILL & HANIFF ( BURKILL & HANIFF Gard. Bull. S. S. 6 1930 238 ) a decoction of the leaves is used in Malaya against coughs and asthma. A decoction of the roots is sometimes administered for dropsy. HEYNE ( HEYNE Nutt. Pl. 1927 1332 ) says that flowering plants contain a volatile oil smelling like patchouli, but apparently it has never been grown for the oil. In Mindanao leaves are applied to wounds. HARTLEY ( HARTLEY Lloydia 32 1969 275 ) listed this species as a possible anti-cancer medicine.
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The dried leaves are used to produce a country spirit drink.
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