Young leaves have a purple colouration, while old leaves are a dark green colour. Leaves are divided into three broad, rounded lobes. Small purple flowers with yellow centres, occur in clusters. Damaged stems exude a watery sap. There are small and scattered infestation around many townsites in the Kimberley.
Bellyache bush is well adapted to a range of soil types.
It grows readily on pindan and black soils and on the edges of salt marshes. A 1.5 metre tall plant can produce over fifty seed pods a month. Each pod contain three or four seeds. Seeds germinate and growth occurs at any time when moisture is sufficient. Plants normally start to flower about two years of age.