Despite the misleading name, it is native to Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, China, and Southeast Asia.

The species is naturalized in Queensland, Christmas Island, and parts of tropical America.

[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] It is a hairy annual herbaceous plant that grows up to 40 cm tall, with toothed, opposite leaves and small, white or purple flowers in clusters.

The entire plant is highly aromatic, with an odor comparable to citrus.

[14] It is also used for essential oil whose scent appears to be a natural blend between that of lime peels and that of O.