PLUMBAGO AURICULATA/ CHITHRAKA is an evergreen shrub, often grown as a climber, ascending rapidly to 6 m (20 ft) tall by 3 m (10 ft) wide in nature, though much smaller when cultivated as a houseplant.[6] The leaves are a glossy green and grow to 5 cm (2 in) long.[3][4] The stems are long, thin, and climbing. The leaves alternate and are 2–5 cm.The five petals are about 2 cm wide and can be pale blue, blue or violet in color. There also variations with white (P. auriculata var. alba) or deep blue (P. auriculata ‘Royal Cape’) flowers. The flowers are arranged in a corymb-like and raceme inflorescence.

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A Siddha preparation called Koduveli thylam is helpful external remedy in skin infections like scabies, carbuncles, ulcers, swellings and arthritis. Chitramoola gulikai or pills, Siddha preparation is helpful in curing chronic ulcers, genital cancer, carbuncles, tumours, piles and fistula.