Small tree. Branchlets initially densely set with fulvous tomentum, later glabrescent, greyish black; terminal bud ovoid, c. 5 by 3 mm, scales linear-acute. Stipules linear-acute, c. 10 by 3 mm, densely fulvous tomentose. soon caducous. Leaves thin-coriaceous, elliptic-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 10-12½ by 3-4½ cm; discolorous, above glabrous, glossy, dark chocolate-brown, underneath with a dense cover of fulvous ad-pressed, minute stellate hairs and erect long simple hairs; base, acute or rounded, margin entire, recurved, apex abruptly acute or ½-1 cm sharp acuminate; midrib and nerves prominent beneath, flattish above; nerves 10-15 pairs, parallel, ascending, at an angle of c. 70°, arcuating but not anastomosing towards the margin; reticulation fine, dense, subscalariform, distinct beneath; petiole c. 5 mm, 2 mm ø, terete, densely fulvous tomentose. Female rachis 15-20 cm; ♀ flowers in clusters of 3. Cupule subglobose, 2-3 cm through; spines much-branched, tips sharp, 1-1½ cm long, densely fulvous tomentose, densely but irregularly set. Fruits ovoid-conical, asymmetrical, 1-1½ cm through, adaxially flat; wall thin, free part densely fulvous tomentose; scar small, convex or flat.
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