[1] It is native to parts of Asia and Australia, and it is widespread in the Pacific Islands as an introduced and often invasive species.

The toothed oval leaf blades are papery but not thin, and often have a fine coating of hairs.

The flower heads grow in dense clusters in the leaf axils and at the branch tips.

[4] The β-sitosterol isolated from the root extract can also neutralize the venom of Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) and the monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia).

[1][3] Though it is not very competitive with other flora, it can easily colonize coastal habitat and impact native and cultivated plants.