Perennial suffrutescent herb, ± 0.6–1 m. tall, with numerous simple or usually branched stems from about the base; cortex of older parts light brown to greyish; young branches terete, whitish-tomentose, the tomentum becoming less dense and yellowish with age.. Leaves subrotund to ± reniform, the main stem leaves commonly broader than long (smaller leaves about as broad as long), lamina 0 .9–2.5 × 1.1–3.5 cm. in length and breadth, ± densely appressed tomentose, the lower surface whiter especially along the principal veins and midrib, obtuse to apiculate at the apex, shortly (3–7 cm.) petiolate.. Inflorescence cylindrical, 6–14 × 2.5–3.5 cm., rather dense or the partial inflorescences becoming remote below, on a 1–2.5 cm. peduncle.. Partial inflorescences dense, sessile.. Bracts deltoid-lanceolate, 4–8 mm., membranous with green vitta, distinctly excurrent in a brownish awn, densely tomentose.. Bracteoles of ultimate triads similar to the bracts or somewhat narrower; bracteoles of sterile flowers narrowly lanceolate, 6–9 mm., more longly aristate, much less pilose especially about the base.. Tepals 5, narrowly lanceolate, the outer not infrequently somewhat falcate at the tip, 8–10.5 mm., narrowly hyaline-margined in the basal half, with 3 prominent green to brownish nerves, midrib excurrent in a sharp brownish arista, dorsal surface of nerves densely long-pilose with almost smooth hairs; inner tepals gradually somewhat shorter and narrower.. Stamens 3–6 mm., filaments filiform throughout, free almost or quite to the base.. Style 3–4 mm.. Sterile flowers of 2–3 lanceolate-subulate bracteoliform processes and numerous unequal, smooth, slender, spiny bristles.. Partial inflorescences in fruit probably falling entire as a blackish-brown bristly ball ± 2.5–3 cm. in diameter.. Capsule ovoid, 3–3.5 mm., smooth, greenish brown.. Seed 2–2.5 mm., brown, shining; testa feebly reticulate.. Fig. 17.
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