HABIT	AN ERECT OR SUBSCANDENT ANNUAL HERB, UP TO 1M HIGH.
STEMS	CYLINDRICAL, SPARINGLY BRANCHED, WITH A FEW SCATTERED REDDISH PRICKLES, HERBACEOUS EXCEPT AT THE BASE. YELLOW TO BROWN COLOURED PRICKLES USUALLY OCCUR ON THE STEM AND ALSO THE MAIN VEINS OF THE LEAVES
LEAVES	DARK GREEN TO PALE GREYISH GREEN, PETIOLATE, LANCEOLATE, OBTUSE OR ACUTE AT THE TIP, ROUNDED OR TRUNCATE AT THE BASE, WITH ENTIRE OR WAVY MARGIN.
FLOWERS	THE INFLORESCENCE IS A SOLITARY CYME OF 15 – 20 FLOWERS, WITH LONG PEDUNCULES; FLOWERS BRIGHT BLUE TO PURPLE BUT SOMETIMES WHITE WITH YELLOW ANTHERS.
FRUITS	IRREGULARLY DEHISCENT BERRY, INITIALLY SPHERICAL, GREEN (WITH WHITE PATCHES) AND FLESHY, DRYING AND BECOMING YELLOW TO ORANGE (10-15 MM IN DIAMETER) AT MATURITY