Japan Flora: Trunk straight, to 5 m. high, stout, simple; leaves large, orbicular-flabellate, pal- mately parted, to 1 m. across, the axis extremely short, the segments linear, plicate, 1-ribbed, transversely veined, gradually tapering to a bifid pendulous apex, the petiole 1-2 m. long, stout, retrorsely spiny on margins; inflorescence elongate, loosely branching; flowers ovoid in bud, about 4 mm. long; sepals broadly ovate; petals ovate, woody, subacute; stamens 6; carpels 3, approximate and terminated by a single common style; ovule 1 in each locule; fruit nearly globose, about 1.5 cm. long. Rather rare in warmer coastal areas.