Small tree, up to 18 m, glabrous when mature, or tomentum persistent on the inflorescence. Leaves crowded at the ends of the branches; petiole to 60 cm, with the clasping base prolonged as a stipular ligule up to 6 cm long, and with few to several strong or weak crests around the base of the petiole, margin undulate or fimbriate; blade to 50 cm long, base cordate, palmately 5-9-lobed, lobes extending to near the base, elliptic, coarsely serrate, often irregularly lobulate, apex acute, sinuses rounded. Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel; peduncle to c. 4 cm, bearing lanceolate bracts to 2½ cm long, caducous or persistent, occasionally with some bristles on the back, primary rays c. 20-30, c. 9 cm long, ± pubescent, bearing opposite caducous or rarely persistent bracts at the apex; central branch variable in length (2-18 mm), bearing an umbellule or head 1-2.5 cm ø of sterile bacciform flowers (4-5 mm ø), 4-8-celled, subtended by minute bracts, pedicels variable in length (5-18 mm); lateral branches 3-7 cm, articulated near the middle, terminating in a globose head of c. 20-30 sessile flowers (or pedicels 1.5 mm long), bracts between the flowers very small. Calyx rim obsolete. Corolla few-to many-lobed, tubular below, 1.5-4 mm long in bud. Stamens 6-17. Ovary 5-18-celled. Fruit a globose head of drupes; drupes c. 10 by 6 mm, obovoid, ribbed when dry.
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