Shrub or small tree, to 6 m, glabrous. Leaves at the ends of the stout branches; petiole to 60 cm, broadly channelled above, clasping base prolonged as a stipular ligule c. 2 cm long, and bearing 2-3 fimbriate crests; blade c. 50 cm long truncate to cordate at the base, palmately 7-11-lobed to within ± 1/4 of the base, lobes elliptic oblong slightly narrowed towards the rounded sinuses, apiculate, margin denticulate to undulate. Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel, peduncle 1-2 cm, bearing broad ovate bracts 2-3 cm long, with bristles on the back, (similar persistent bracts subtend the primary rays); primary rays c. 15, c. 3-4 cm long, 4 mm wide, flattened, bearing opposite terminal persistent bracts 1.5-2 cm long, sometimes with a few bristles on the back, ending in three branches; central branch 8-10 mm long, terminating in an umbellule 2 cm ø of 15-20 sterile bacciform flowers (4 mm ø, 2-celled) surrounded by an involucre of obtuse bracts 1-2 mm long, pedicels 5-7 mm; lateral branches 4.5-5 cm long, bearing opposite ovate persistent bracts (3-7 mm long) c. 5-10 mm above the base, terminating in a dense head c. 1 cm ø of 30-40 sessile flowers interspersed with inconspicuous obtuse bracts. Calyx rim obsolete. Corolla 5-lobed. Stamens 5. Ovary turbinate, 1.25 mm long, 5-celled. Fruit in spherical heads 2 cm ø (when dry); drupes c. 9 by 6 mm, obovoid, 5-ribbed.
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