Shrub, 1 m, glabrous, except for the inflorescence. Leaves clustered towards the ends of the stout branches; petiole to 38 cm, channelled above, 5 mm ø, base with a stipular ligule 1 cm long, and 1-2 inconspicuous non-fimbriate crests around the back of the petiole; blade digitately compound, leaflets 5-7; petiolule 2-7 cm (the lateral shorter); blade elliptic-oblong to ovate, mid-leaflet to 23 by 8 cm, base gradually tapered, apex acuminate-caudate, margin dentate or somewhat undulate. Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel, subsessile or peduncle stout 1-3 cm, bearing few ovate bracts 1 cm long; primary rays 5-10, tomentose, c. 3 cm long and 3 mm wide, subtended by ovate bracts 6 mm long, similar opposite bracts at apex; central branch 2-3 mm long, pubescent, ending in a whorl of blunt bracts (3 mm long) and an umbellule of c. 10 sterile flowers 4 mm ø, 2-4-celled, pedicels 3-8 mm; lateral branches 2-2.5 cm long, pubescent, with small opposite bracts about the middle, bearing a head of 10-15 sessile flowers, subtended by ovate ciliate bracts. Calyx rim obsolete, sometimes fimbriate. Corolla 4-5-lobed, tubular below, 1.5 mm long in bud. Stamens 4-5. Ovary 4-celled. Young fruit (Merrill, l.c.) shortly pedicelled (2-3 mm).
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