Botany:
· A prostrate plant, stems stout, creeping, 30 to 100 cm long and with small bristly leaves throughout.
· Primary branches are still, rigidly erect 20 to 60 cm long, much branched in the upper portion, lower branches are divided and short, pendulous towards the tips.
· Leaves: linear-subulate, 2 to 3 cm long, inserted all around the stem and branches.
· Spikes (cone-like fruiting bodies) are numerous, solitary, and sessile on the tips of the branchlets, 5 to 15 mm long.

Distribution
Widely distributed; abundant at medium and high altitudes, rare at low altitudes.

Parts utilized:
· Whole plant.
· Collect the plants throughout the year.
· Rinse, cut into pieces and sun-dry.
· Compress before storing.

Properties
Sweet tasting, cooling natured.
Antirheumatic and antitussive.

Folkloric uses
· Decoction of 15-30 gms of dried material used for acute hepatitis, reddening and swelling in the eyes, costochondritis, chronic cough.

Availability
Wild-crafted.