Small tree with few branches, up to 16 m, glabrous. Many leaves clustered towards the ends of the branches; petiole 8-15 cm, terete, with a small triangular base, bearing a short stipular ligule (c. 2 mm long) and extending around the base of the petiole as a collar; blade oblanceolate, to 33 by 7.5 cm, base narrowly cuneate, apex acute or slightly apiculate, margin entire, midrib prominent, lateral veins arched ascending, c. 2-3 cm apart. Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel, almost sessile, saucer-shaped; bracts caducous; primary rays c. 15, c. 10 cm long, flattened, c. 4-5 mm broad, bearing three branches at the apex; central branch 5-6 cm long, the apex expanded and bearing a spherical head of c. 8-12 sessile, sterile, bacciform flowers c. 5 by 5 mm (when dry), 1-2-celled; the two lateral branches c. 5 cm long at anthesis, with an articulation immediately above the base, bearing two helmet-shaped bracts which fall to reveal the terminal head of c. 8-10 flowers, sessile on an expanded receptacle with an involucral rim c. 1 mm ø. Calyx rim 0. Corolla known only in bud, c. 2.5 mm long. Stamens c. 5. Ovary gibbous, c. 1.5 mm high, 4-celled. Fruit unknown.
Home