Originating in America, and spreading to South China, Sri Lanka, India, and Africa. Boroco is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical to warm-climate regions, and is also broadly known as a traditional medicine with a long history in China.

In Indonesia, it can be found at altitudes of 1-1,700 meters above sea level (m a.s.l.). It thrives in full sunlight, with an annual daytime temperature between 25−30ºC, and an average annual rainfall in the range of 1,500-2,500 mm/year.

• The stem is round, smooth (glabrous) with coarse longitudinal grooves, highly branched, and green or red in color.

• The leaves are single (simple), alternately arranged, green or red, elongated-lanceolate, with pointed tips and bases (acuminate/acute), finely serrated to nearly entire margins, and pinnate venation.

• The flowers are compound (inflorescence), emerging from the tips of the stems or branches, forming a spike shape 5-10 cm long, standing alone, erect, elongated, cylindrical, dense, tapering towards the tip, and purplish-white in color.

• The fruit is wide, obovate (inverted egg-shaped) with a readily deciduous lid (operculum).

• The seeds number 3-9, are small, kidney-shaped (reniform), and shiny black.

• Propagation is done generatively (by seed).

• Root: treats colic, gonorrhea (or pus in urine), and eczema.

• Leaves: treats inflammation and itching.

• Seeds: treatment for hypertension, jaundice, diarrhea, wounds, and fever.

• Flowers: treat bloody hemorrhoids, uterine bleeding outside of the menstrual period, and lung diseases.

• Polyphenols, the flavonoid betavulgarin, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, the cyclopeptide moroidin, ascorbic acid, glycosides, and citrusin C.