Carl Linnaeus described the paleotropical P. zeylanica and Neotropical P. scandens as separate species, but they are currently considered synonymous.

Plumbago zeylanica is a herbaceous plant with glabrous stems that are climbing, prostrate, or erect.

The leaves are petiolate or sessile and have ovate, lance-elliptic, or spatulate to oblanceolate blades that measure 5-9 × 2.5–4 cm in length.

[1] Plumbago zeylanica grows throughout the tropical and sub-tropical climates of the world,[citation needed] including Australia and India.

[4][6][7] Early folk medicine used the crushed plant internally and externally as an abortifacient.