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This is not a native species and has been introduced to the country. This genus consists of only this species. It is a native plant of Mexico but is now found in tropical parts of Asia, Africa and Australia. It has been named in honour of a professor of botany at Cambridge by the name of John Martyn.

In the northern parts of the country I have seen this species at many open localities such as Mankulam, Kilinochchi, Jaffna peninsula, Mannar, Arippu and Murunkan. In the south I have seen this species in bloom at Sithulpahuwa inside Yala National Park, Hambantota, Udawalawa, Bundala etc. It is essentially a plant found in open areas and along the roadsides of the low country dry zone.

The seeds of this plant carry two needle sharp inward curved pointed ends, which sticks to animal skins and cloths very effectively providing the plant with dispersion. The Sinhala name of this plant Naga-darana, which means the hood of the cobra, is quite suitable due to the dried seeds giving the appearance of a snakes head with the very prominent pointed ends which resemble the poison fangs. In India decoctions made with the roots of this plant is used to treat snakebite.

At Wilpattu I have seen this plant in bloom in January and October along the road from Eluwankulama to Mollikulam.