Shrub to 2 m, glabrous except for the inflorescence. Leaves clustered at the ends of the branches; petiole to 18 cm, with a sheathing base prolonged as a stipular ligule 1 cm long, and with several entire crests encircling the lower part of the petiole; blade 20 by 22 cm, base truncate, 3-5-lobed to about the middle, lobes oblong, scarcely narrowed towards the base, apex acuminate, sinuses broad, rounded, margin dentate, coriaceous. Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel; primary rays c. 2-2.5 cm, pubescent with opposite lanceolate bracts (c. 12 mm long) at the apex; central branch c. 4 mm long, bearing a globose umbellule (c. 12 mm ø) of sterile bacciform flowers (c. 2 mm ø), pedicels c. 3 mm, subtended by numerous ligulate bracts; lateral branches c. 3 cm long, with opposite lanceolate bracts 4 mm long, ending in a head of c. 20-30 sessile flowers. Corolla and stamens not seen, described by Merrill as 3-merous. Fruit globose 6 mm ø (dry), 3-seeded.
Home