[4] The plant can be described as a shrub or a liana since it produces numerous woody shoots from the root and reaches a height of 2 to 3 m. The stems are almost bare and slightly scaly.

The large, slightly fragrant, hermaphrodite and stalked, funnel-shaped flowers with double perianth are violet to purple-white.

Mansoa alliacea has been exported overseas, and grows in the favourable climates of (for example) Puerto Rico, Southern Africa, Thailand and India.

It is a plant remedy in the Amazon for pain and inflammation from arthritis and rheumatism, as well as colds, flu, fever, diarrhea and skin ulcers.

Some capsule and leaf products are sold in stores in Brazil and Peru, and can be found as an ingredient in several other multi-herb formulas for cold, flu, and pain.