Historically, the Ngokilo plant originated from China and is widely found in tropical regions of Asia. Ngokilo is a type of keji beling (a term sometimes used for diuretic plants). Ngokilo (Stachytarpheta mutabilis) belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It is a grassy, erect-stemmed plant with pink flowers, hence its name overseas: Pink Snakeweed. Other names for the Ngokilo plant include Red Snakeweed, Pink Rat Tail, Coral Porterweed, and Changeable Velvetberry. This plant is an invasive species that has been introduced in Fiji, Hawaii, Queensland, and Singapore.

Grows well at an altitude of 50–1,200 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.), with an annual rainfall of 2,500–4,000 mm/year, soil texture ranging from sandy to clay, and a pH of 5.5–7. It prefers open areas. It is found growing wild in forests, riverbanks, and is sometimes planted in yards.

• Root: Taproot, light brown color.

• Stem: Segmented (noded), round shape, coarsely hairy on the surface, green color. The woody stem has light gray bark. Young stems are 4-sided (quadrangular) and covered in short, fine hairs.

• Leaves: Opposite arrangement, elliptical to oval shape (5–12 cm long, 2.5–6 cm wide). The leaf margin is serrated or crenate, with teeth pointing towards the leaf tip. The leaves are deeply veined, giving the upper surface a rough and uneven texture.

• Flower: Salverform flowers have a white throat and 5 lobes (1.3–1.8 cm long, 1 cm wide). Initially bright red or magenta, they gradually turn light pink over several days.

• Seed: Round, flattened, small, brown color.

• Propagation: Vegetatively (cuttings).

• Cuttings Method: Stem cuttings are taken from mature branches, cut to a length of 20–25 cm. The cuttings can be planted directly in the soil at a depth of 6–8 cm.

• Harvest: Harvesting is done by pruning the plant's shoot tips to a length of 20–30 cm.

• Lowers blood sugar levels (antidiabetic), anti-inflammatory, stimulates cell immunity, inhibits immune reactions, and antihistamine.

• The Ngokilo leaf extract also contains ethanol compounds, alkaloids, and flavonoids.