Distribution and Habitat: Found throughout India, especially in dry localities.

Botany: A rigid herb, 45 cm tall, usually perennial with short root stock; stem dichotomously branched 

• Leaves: Obovate- oblong, mostly radical forming a spreading rosette on the ground, hairy on both surfaces, 12.5- 20 cm long and 3.8-5.7 cm broad
• Flowers:Purple in heads, heads numerous, closely packed
• Fruits: Achene, pappus of 4-6 bristles dilated at the base.

Properties: Astringent, febrifuge

Chemical constituents: Epifriedeliniol, lupeol, stigmasterol and a mixture of triacontan-1-ol and dotriaconta-1-ol. Sequiterpene dilactone. Alcoholic extract contains antibiotic elephentopin

Uses: It is used in dysuria, intermittent fevers, bronchitis, hemorrhoids and hepatopathy, ophthalmopathy, swellings, cough and skin diseases