HABIT	ANNUAL OR PERENNIAL HERB, 30-80 CM TALL.
STEMS	ERECT, SLIGHTLY WOODY AT THE BASE, UNBRANCHED OR BRANCHES FEW.
LEAVES	ALTERNATE OR SOMETIMES SUBOPPOSITE, DISTINCTLY PETIOLATE, PETIOLES TO 5 CM LONG, BLADE LONGDECURRENT ON PETIOLE FROM A SUBTRUNCATE BASE, OVATE-DELTOID, MARGIN SLIGHTLY WAVY-CRISPED, 2.5-10 CM LONG, 1-5 CM WIDE, ACUTE (BLUNT).
FLOWERS	INFLORESCENCE TERMINAL, SIMPLE OR RARELY ONCEFORKED, FLOWERS ALONG ONE SIDE, SESSILE, TIP COILED, AXIS UP TO 20 CM LONG; LOWEST FLOWERS OPENING FIRST; FLOWERS PALE VIOLET (LILAC) WITH A YELLOW THROAT, BUT FADING TO DULL WHITE.
FRUITS	3.5 MM LONG, OVOID, RIBBED, SEPARATING INTO 2 NUTLETS EACH 2-CELLED, 3-3.5 MM LONG.