Perennial shrubby herb to 1.5(–3) m. high, with woody stem and branches and shiny red-brown bark; young branches usually hispid.. Leaves obovate, to 35 × 23 mm., base cuneate, apex rounded, margin entire, lower suface sometimes hispid especially along the midrib; petiole to 5 mm. long, hispid; glandular stipules vestigial.. Cymes in terminal 3(–4)-branched umbels with primary rays to 3(–5) cm. long, 1–2-forked; bracts sessile, deltoid, ± 8 × 8 mm., apex acute.. Cyathia sessile, 2.5 × 3.5 mm., with broadly funnel-shaped involucres; glands 4, transversely elliptic, 1.5 mm. broad, yellow becoming dark red; lobes broadly rounded, 0.8 mm. long, margin denticulate, outer surface minutely hispid.. Male flowers: bracteoles ligulate, deeply 2–3-lobed, margin ciliate; stamens 3.5 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 2 mm. long, joined to halfway, erect with spreading shortly bifid apices.. Capsule exserted on a pedicel 5 mm. long, oblong-trigonous, 5.5 × 4.5 mm., becoming reddish.. Seeds oblong, flattened, 3.5 × 2.3 mm., apex acute, pale brownish grey, lightly wrinkled, with a pale yellow caruncle 1.7 mm. wide.. Fig. 83/5–7.
Can be grown by seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.
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