Erect, probably annual herb up to 1 m high. Stems with stinging and stiff hairs. Leaves broadÂly ovate in outline, deeply 3-5-lobed, or unlobed near base of plant or on side shoots, 111-170 x 90-170 mm, apical tooth longer than broad, base cuneate to truncate, margin with 19-24 pairs of broad teeth, each tooth sometimes with a single adaxial lobe, densely covered with long stinging hairs 3-7(-9) mm long, these scattered on upper surface, concentrated along veins on lower surÂface, stiff hairs also present; petiole 55-90 mm long, with stinging and adpressed stiff hairs; stipÂules lanceolate, ±8x3 mm, fused, except for the free, attenuate apices. Female inflorescence denseÂly cylindrical, 1 or 2 per node, 35-75 mm long; peduncles densely covered with long, hard, punÂgent stinging hairs up to 4 mm long. Male infloÂrescence not seen in material from FSA region, thin and spike-like, 1 or 2 per node, 50-80 mm long; peduncle covered with stiff hairs. Female flowers sessile, without free fourth tepal, ± 2 mm long, with thick unilateral dorsal ridge. Male flowers on pedicels ± 1 mm long; tepals without subapical horn-like appendage. Achenes ovoid, laterally compressed, strongly rugose over whole surface, 3-4 mm in diameter, dark brown when mature.
