Trees 16–20(–30) m tall; branchlets pubescent. Stipules elliptic or obovate, 2–3 × 1–2 cm; petiole 3–6 cm, longer in young leaves, glabrous; leaf blade broadly ovate-rounded or sometimes palmately 3-lobed in young leaves, 10–17 × 9–13 cm, abaxially glabrous, adaxially drying dark green, shiny, base broadly cuneate, margin entire, palmately 5–7-veined.

Inflorescences capitate, sometimes arranged in racemes; heads 8–12-flowered; peduncle 1–2 cm, pubescent. Petals usually absent (2–3 mm in Indian plants). Stamens ca. 5 mm, filaments slender, glabrous. Ovary yellow-brown pubescent; styles 3–4 mm, erect. Capsules ellipsoid, 7–9 × 5–6 mm, smooth, dehiscing above the middle. Seeds narrowly winged. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Aug–Oct.