Slender much-branched shrub or tree to c. 12 m high, rarely taller, glabrous. Leaves narrowly obovate to oblanceolate, 10–30 cm long, 15–60 mm wide, dull dark green, surfaces granular when dried, venation most obvious on lower surface; apex broadly acute; margins entire; petiole 10–25 mm long. Inflorescence a compact, 30–60-flowered raceme or head, to c. 10 cm across; involucral bracts linear or lanceolate, mostly 2–5 cm long, pink, red or greenish, caducous; pedicels 10–20 mm long. Tepals 20–25 mm long, crimson, rarely white, glabrous. Follicle 5–7.5 cm long, excluding the persistent style, leathery, dark brown; seeds 10–16 per follicle, to c. 45 mm long including wing. Flowers Sep.–Dec.