It is an erect shrub or small tree growing up to 12m tall. Multi-stemmed, each topped with a small crown of large showy leaves, needs to be trimmed to give a single trunk tree appearance. Also, an epiphyte, capable of clasping its roots around the trees, acting like strangling figs. Leaves compound palmate, 7-16 stalks leaflets arranged in a whorl, each 10-30cm x 4-10cm, leathery, oblong- elliptic in shape. Inflorescences in racemes, 10-15 stiff and long stalks radiating from a single point, up to 60cm in length. Individual flowers red and small, 0.6cm wide, bisexual, fragrant with 11 petals, 11 stamens and no sepals. Fruits are fleshy drupes, purple, containing up to 8 seeds.