Slender shrub to 6 m. Leaves 1-3-(rarely 4-)folio-late. Petiole usually less than 10 cm, but occasionally longer (to 20 cm), especially in compound leaves, terete and finely striate, base ensheathing the stem, membranous. Lamina elliptic obovate, or oblong, occasionally irregularly lobed, up to 28 by 12 cm but usually considerably smaller, base cuneate or truncate (of lateral leaflets often oblique), apex shortly acuminate, acute, margin entire or dentate towards the apex, membranous or chartaceous. Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel, often overtopped by a lateral branch at its base; peduncle terete, striate, c. 10-20 cm, bearing small lanceolate bracts below the rays; primary rays 6-15, c. 4-7 cm, striate, with minute distal caducous bracts; secondary rays (pedicels) c. 10-20, filiform or rather rigid, usually 5-12 mm; male flowers towards the outside of the umbellules. Calyx lobes 5, triangular to subulate, 0.5-I mm long. Petals 5, obovate. Ovary narrowly turbinate, in male flowers obconic or ovoid, c. ¾ mm long in hermaphrodite. Fruit large, 15 by 22 mm, compressed, rotund, constricted above and below on the central axis; styles persistent, recurved.
Uses. The cut stem exudes a viscous sap which is an irritant. The leaves are aromatic. The plant is reported to be poisonous and to have a number of medicinal uses. The boiled leaves are eaten to reduce fever and to relieve 'korima'. Pieces of leaf placed in a cavity relieve toothache. The leaves are wrapped around taro at planting to encourage growth.
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