Decumbent, non-sticky perennial rooting at nodes, up to 30cm. Pairs of linear to elliptic, soft leaves; pink flowers are borne on stalks 2.5cm long; calyx lobes split almost to the base; stigma is broadly round and flattened.

The fleshy rhizome was used traditionally as a purgative in the treatment of haemorrhoids, and as a bitter tonic, hence common name Bitterwortel.