A multistemmed scandent shrub up to 7–8 m., climbing chiefly by aid of its petiolar spines, but also twining.. Leaves opposite, subopposite or alternate,sometimes on dwarf shoots in the axils of the petiolar spines; lamina obovate, up to 10 cm. long and 6 cm. wide, apex obtuse or slightly acuminate, base cuneate to almost subcordate, sparsely hairy, especially along the nerves; lateral nerves 5–7 pairs, rather prominent beneath; petiole up to 11 mm. long, later forming a slightly recurved spine.. Inflorescence generally appearing before the leaves, usually with solitary secund spikes up to 7 cm. long in the axils of the old leaves.. Flowers (fig. 6/35, p. 50) bright red, shortly pedicellate.. Lower receptacle 3–4 mm. long, pubescent; upper receptacle infundibuliform, slightly constricted about the middle, 7–8 mm. long, 3 mm. in diameter, pubescent.. Sepals triangular-subulate, 1.5–2 mm. long.. Petals oblong-ovate, 3 mm. long, 1 mm. wide, glabrous or almost so.. Stamen-filaments ± 20 mm. long, biseriate; anthers ± 1 mm. long, bright red.. Disk-margin not free, pilose.. Fruit (fig. 7/35, p. 51) 5-winged, oblong-ovate in outline, 2.5–3.5 cm. long, 2–2.5 cm. wide, glabrous; apical peg absent; stipe ± 1–2 mm. long.
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