The leaves of the horseshoe can be given to cows to eat. Because horseshoe leaves have the effect of removing wind and heat, relieving pain, clearing heat and removing fire. Horseshoe grass, perennial herb, 40 to 60 centimeters high. The rhizome is stout and creeping. Stem purple, hollow, often branched. Basal leaves are ovoid or cordate, 5 to 12 centimeters in diameter, coarsely serrate at the margin, y heart-shaped at the base, and glabrous on both surfaces. Petiole 6 to 15 cm long, purple-green. Cauline leaves are homomorphic with basal leaves, stipulate, lower leaves stipitate, upper leaves sessile. Monochasial cymes are borne at the tips of stems or branches, flowers yellow, 1.6 to 3.2 cm in diameter. Sepals 5, petaloid, ovate-elliptic, ca. 1 to 1.8 cm. Petals absent. Stamens numerous, anthers yellow. Carpels several free. Follicles long ellipsoid, ca. 1 cm, apex hooked, green. Seeds numerous, reniform-oblong ellipsoid, surface longitudinally striped, brown and shiny. Flowering April to May. Fruiting from June to July.