Glabrous perennial herb, with a fleshy cylindrical rootstock to 20 × 1–2 cm. and annual stems to 30 cm. high.. Leaves sessile, linear-lanceolate to 12 × 1.8 cm., apex apiculate, margin entire; stipules filamentous, to 0.5 mm. long, soon deciduous.. Cymes axillary and in terminal 3-branched umbels, with rays to 5(–8) cm. long, occasionally forking 1–2 times; bracts ovate-lanceolate to 5 × 2.5 cm., base subcordate, apex acute, those at the base of the umbel larger.. Cyathia on peduncles to 3(–6) cm. long, with cup-shaped involucres, ± 7 × 14 mm.; glands 5, transversely rectangular, ± 2 × 4 mm., spreading, the outer margin with up to 10 finger-like processes to 2.5 mm. long which are 2–4-lobed at the tips and minutely hispid; involucral lobes rounded ± 2.5 × 3.5 mm., margin sharply toothed, outer surface finely ciliate and minutely hispid.. Male flowers: bracteoles few, divided to the base into 2–3 fine threads with ciliate apices; stamens many, 9.5 mm. long, minutely hispid including the anther-thecae.. Female flower: perianth obvious as a rim below the ovary; styles ± 5 mm. long, joined for 1/3, spreading with bifid thickened apices, minutely hispid.. Capsule exserted on an erect minutely hispid pedicel to 12 mm. long, subglobose, ± 14 × 16 mm.. Seeds ovoid, obtusely 3-angled, ± 5.5 × 4 mm., smooth, pale grey.
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