Spreading densely branching shrub or small tree 1–6 m. high, with smooth grey bark and semi-succulent glabrous reddish brown branches.. Leaves ± fleshy, petiolate, clustered at the ends of the branchlets, obovate to 10 × 7 cm., base cuneate, apex broadly rounded, occasionally minutely apiculate, margin entire, both surfaces pilose especially the lower, the upper surface of mature leaves occasionally almost glabrous; petiole to 1 cm. long, puberulous; glandular stipules dark red.. Cymes terminal, reduced to a central cyathium with (1–)2(–3) lateral cyathia on rays 1–1.5 cm. long; bracts scarious, 4–8 enveloping the cyme, soon deciduous, sessile with a broad base, subquadrate ± 1 × 1 cm., margin densely pilose, outer (lower) surface with some hairs along the midrib.. Cyathia subsessile, ± 7 × 18 mm., with funnel-shaped involucres, the central cyathium usually larger; glands 5, transversely rectangular, ± 5 × 8 mm., outer margin crenulate with 10–15 finger-like processes 1–2 mm. long, simple or with the tips slightly thickened or minutely bifid, green; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 2.5 × 3.5 mm., margin fimbriate, reddish.. Male flowers: bracteoles very broadly fan-shaped, much divided, feathery; stamens 9 mm. long, with pilose anther-thecae.. Female flower: ovary subsessile, glabrous, enclosed in an irregularly toothed perianth 3 mm. long; styles 6.5 mm. long, spreading, joined at the base, with thickened bifid apices.. Capsule subsessile on a thickened pedicel 7 × 7 mm., subglobose, 1.8–2 × 2–2.5 cm., eventually with 3 ± prominent longitudinal ribs at each valve.. Seeds ovoid and laterally compressed, ± 7 × 6.5 mm. and 4.5 mm. thick, pale brownish grey, smooth.. Fig. 86.
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