Upright, polycarpic plant to 10 m tall, with trunk 40 cm or more in diameter; pith 1–2 cm in diameter; stem with up to 1 cm between successive leaf nodes; reproducing and branching repeatedly to form a broad, dense canopy with 50–80 aerial meristems in mature trees. Leaf lamina cordate, to 53 cm long and 40 cm wide, lower portion of leaf constricted to form a sheathing pseudo-petiole to 27 cm long; leaf generally glabrous except sparsely pubescent along lower venation. Inflorescence broadly pyramidal to 60 cm tall, 40 cm in diameter; capitula presented horizontally. Ray florets 11–15; to 25 mm long; disc florets 30–50. Fig. 116 (page 552).