The plant has been known to grow all over the wild Deccan regions of India and the foothills of the towering Himalayas.
Due to the musk scent emanating from the seeds of the plant, cosmetics are found to have an applied use of the herb.
It is an erect herb that grows annually or biannually. The leaves of the plant are found to be polymorphous, with the lower side of the leaf acute and ovate and the upper side multi-lobed.
Seeds, which are mostly used for medicinal purposes, are normally black in colour and carry the scent of musk. The flowers of the plant are normally large and bright yellow in colour.
Since the plant is found to grow extensively in valleys, scrub slopes and flat areas, there are no specific cultivation conditions required for growth of the plant. The plant is not known to survive in shady conditions though and prefers direct, bright sunlight. Well-drained soils are best for cultivation.
Linoleic acid, a-cephalin, phosphatidylserine are some of the chemical constituents found in the oil extracted from the seeds of the plant.
The edible parts of the plant are seeds, seedpods, leaves and shoots. Roots are often used for medicinal purposes. The seeds are used for the flavoring of coffee especially in Arab countries.