[2][3] An erect annual herb that can be easily distinguished by the cup-shaped involucre that surrounds the small flowers in the catkin-like inflorescence.

The flower spikes are axillary, 2.5–6 cm (0.98–2.36 in) long, monoecious, with a rachis terminating in a triradiate hood.

The green female flowers are located lower on the spikes, and are subtended by 3–7 mm (0.12–0.28 in) long suborbicular-cuneiform, many-nerved, toothed bracts that are foliaceous.

[6] This plant is held in high esteem in traditional Tamil Siddha medicine as it is believed to rejuvenate the body.

[7] The plant has also been eaten as a vegetable in Africa and India, but care is needed when eating it since it contains several alkaloids as well as hydrocyanic acid.

In Mauritius, the sap of crushed leaves mixed with salt, or a decoction of plant, is used for scabies and other skin problems.

In the Seychelles and Réunion, a root infusion or decoction is taken for asthma, and also to clean the liver and kidneys.

Acalypha indica is listed in the Pharmacopoeia of India as an expectorant to treat asthma and pneumonia.

[8] Some of the chemical compounds in Acalypha indica cause dark chocolate-brown discoloration of blood, and gastrointestinal irritation in rabbits.

Ingestion of Acalypha indica may lead to hemolysis in people suffering from glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.