Shrub, to 5 m high, branches prickly, rufous-tomentose in its younger parts. Leaves large, simple, coriaceous, clustered towards the tips of the branches; petiole c. 14-20 cm, stout, striate, with a basal sheath and a short, bicuspid ligule; blade ovate, c. 35-40 by 12-18 cm, apex shortly acuminate, base slightly cordate, rufous-stellate hairs persistent beneath, midrib prominent, lateral veins very widely spaced, arched ascending, margin minutely dentate. Inflorescence a panicle of umbellules; rachis c. 10-20 cm; lateral branches reflexed, 5-12 cm, subtended by small lanceolate bracts and often bearing 1-2 bracts from which tertiary branches arise; umbellules with c. 10-20 flowers; pedicels 1.25-2 cm, slender, subtended by numerous minute bracts. Calyx a narrow rim with 5 indistinct teeth. Petals 5, falling as a calyptra. Stamens 2 mm long, anthers oblong. Ovary obconic, c. 2 mm high, disk cushion-like, surmounted by an awl-shaped stylar column 1.5 mm long. Fruit globose, fleshy, c. 5 mm ø, with a persistent calyx rim and a stylar column c. 2 mm long.
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