Annual or probably short-lived shrubby perennial herb to 2 m. high, glabrous except for crisped hairs below the junction of the leaves and bracts with the branches and usually on the stem and young leaves.. Leaves densely crowded and leaving prominent scars, sometimes tinged red on the lower surface, sessile, lanceolate to 8 × 1 cm., base cuneate, apex obtuse and minutely apiculate, margin entire.. Cymes lax, axillary and in terminal 3–15-branched umbels forking many times, with primary rays to 10 cm. long, all parts of the cyme often tinged red; bracts sessile, broadly ovate to 24 × 12 mm., apex acute, margin entire.. Cyathia on peduncles to 1 mm. long, 1.75 × 2 mm., with cup-shaped involucres; glands 4, spreading, broadly crescent-shaped, to 1.25 mm. broad, with curved horns 0.5 mm. long; involucral lobes subquadrate with 2-lobed apex, 0.5 mm. long, margin ciliate.. Male flowers: bracteoles linear, apex ciliate; stamens 2 mm. long.. Female flowers: ovary 2-locular; styles 2, 1.5 mm. long, joined at the base, bifid for 1/3.. Capsule exserted on a reflexed pedicel to 4.5 mm. long, 2-lobed, 2.25 × 2.75 mm.. Seeds ovoid, 1.8 × 1.4 mm., smooth, reddish black, with a caruncle 1 mm. across, wrinkled, yellow.
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