A glabrous tree. Leaves large, palmately lobed; petiole to 45 cm, 8-10 mm wide, flattened above, with a sheathing base prolonged as a stipular ligule, numerous fimbriate crests around the base of the petiole, and irregular tufts of bristles along the whole length of the petiole; blade to 55 cm ø, deeply 5-7-lobed, the sinuses broadly rounded and c. 4-5 cm from the base of the blade, lobes pinnatilobed, with a narrow base and an attenuated apex, margins serrate. Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel c. 16 cm ø; peduncle stout, with lanceolate bracts (1.5-2 cm long) subtending the primary rays; primary rays 25-30, c. 4 cm long, bearing 2 caducous lanceolate bracts (c. 1 cm long) at the apex, each ray ending in 3 branches; central branch c. 12-16 mm long, bearing an umbel (c. 2 cm ø) of c. 20 sterile ovoid bacciform flowers (c. 4 mm long when dry) with pedicels c. 4-6 mm long, and 3-celled; two lateral branches c. 3.5 cm long, with an articulation about the middle, terminating in an umbellule (c. 2 cm ø) of c. 10-15 flowers on short stout pedicels c. 2 mm long, umbellules surrounded by a receptacular rim after caducous bracts have abscissed. Calyx rim minute. Petals c. 3.25 mm long in bud (when dry), with 8-9 lobes above, tubular below. Stamens 8-9, with stout filaments. Ovary cylindric, 8-9-celled; disk with a central double row of pustulate stigmas. Fruit unknown.
Home