It is native to Asia and sub-Saharan Africa,[2] but has been introduced into other parts of the world including Australia and the United States.

Asiatic witchweed is a serious agricultural pest, as it parasitises important crop species, including corn, rice, sorghum, and sugar cane, often causing substantial yield reductions.

[5] S. asiatica seedlings are not visible above ground, but white succulent shoots can be found attached to host roots.

Mature plants have green foliage above ground, sparsely covered with coarse, short, white, bulbous-based hairs.

Flowers, produced in summer and fall, are small (less than 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) in diameter), sessile and axillary, with a two-lipped corolla, occurring on loose spikes.