[2] It is occasionally referred to as misty plume bush and is commonly used as a decorative garden plant due to its flowers when in full bloom.

It is a dioecious, slightly succulent shrub that grows up to 2m high, occasionally reaching 5m, with irregular branch pattern.

The leaves are simple, opposite, bright green, somewhat heart-shaped, sticky, aromatic, with the margin irregularly, coarsely toothed, and are 35–80 mm long.

Flowering occurs only in subtropical or temperate climates in wintertime (June–August in Africa) when the plant is bare, in the top section of the branches (coinciding with the frost in the Highveld gardens).

It is one of Rwanda's most popular herbal remedies and has been used throughout its range to treat cough, malaria, diarrhea, dengue fever, headaches (inhaling the leaves scent), toothache and some other ailments.