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Description:
Hermaphroditic or andromonoecious, spiney, pubescent, terrestrial, often monocarpic and proteranthus, weak trees. Stems monocaulous to sparsely branched, pachycaulous. Leaves alternate, petiolate and often peltate, bases clasping but not alate, exstipulate; blades simple, palmately lobed, orbicular to ovate, membranaceous to subcoriaceous, the margins sharply, irregularly and/or coarsely incised and toothed. Inflorescenses terminal, erect, very large and repeatedly branched panicles, often developing after abscission of the leaves, ultimate units sessile to pedunculate umbellules; bracts often foliaceous below but progressively reduced above; pedicels short, usually with two bracteoles, unarticulated. Calyx a minute, fringed rim, often lacerate; petals 5, valvate, free; stamens 5; carpels 2, ovaries inferior, styles free, the disc conical. Fruit a dry schizocarp of 2 three-ribbed, long-ciliate, ellipsoid to ovoid, laterally compressed mericarps, crowned by slightly hooked styles, carpophore fused; endocarp membranous. Endosperm uniform.
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