A tree, attaining a height of 10–20 ft., with a trunk about 9 in. diam. at the base. Branches divaricate. Leaves rather coriaceous, deeply divided (three-fourths or more) into 5 lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, acuminate segments, serrulate above or nearly entire; glabrous on both surfaces or the nerves obsoletely pubescent beneath; the segments usually slightly overlap each other at the base. Larger leaves 6–7 in. broad, 3 1/2–4 in. long, central lobe about 1 1/4–1 3/4 in. broad; petiole 2–4 in. long. Flowers few together (about 3), 3–4 in. diam., deep yellow. Pedicels puberulous, 1 in. long. Sepals nearly or quite glabrous. Anthers dehiscing by a single minute terminal slit. Ovary densely and softly villous. Fruit about 3 in. long and 2 in. diam., broadly ellipsoidal or obovoid, depressed at the top, separating when ripe into 4 thin, coriaceous, striate, puberulous valves. Seeds reniform, black and shining, enveloped in a deciduous cotton.
Distribution
Angola Lower Guinea distr. Golungo Alto. Frequent on dry, stony declivities between Sange and Camilungo; flowering in February and March, Dr. Welwitsch!
Notes
The Borotuto of the natives, who use the bark in fabricating a coarse cordage. This species is very closely allied to C. Gillivræi, Benth., growing in Queensland, Australia, differing in the villous ovary and some minor characters.
