Native to Peninsular India, Law's Balsam is an annual herb, 10-30 cm tall. Short, succulent stem is swollen at the nodes, and sports many slender branches. Oppositely arranged, stalkless leaves are shortly oblong, sharp tipped, 2-3 cm long. The leaf margins have spiny teeth. Upper leaves are smaller, heart-shaped and stem-clasping. Violet purple flowers occur singly in leaf axils, and are 6-8 mm across. Filament-like flower-stalks are 2-3 cm long. The standard petal is circular. Lip is boat-shaped. Unlike most balsams, the spur is absent. Capsules are narrow, 1 cm long. Flowering: August-October.