Small tree 3-12 m, with red-brown branches. Leaves ± orbicular, 10-30 cm wide, cordate, glabrous, incised to ⅔-¾, lobes 5, acuminate, crenate-serrate, basal axils of main ribs with domatia; petiole 10-25 cm. Flowers in dense panicles at the end of leafless twigs, pedicellate, bright yellow. Sepals 5, tomentose, persistent. Petals obovate, 4-6 cm long. Stamens ca 2 cm, inner ones shortest; anther cells with a terminal pore. Capsule 5-valvate, partly green partly red, obovoid, 4-8 by 4-6 cm, apex depressed, finely velvety pubescent, striate-nerved. Pericarp hard, endocarp cream-coloured, parchment-like. Seeds reniform covered with cotton-like white hairs.
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