Spreading shrub 0.5–2 m high, glabrous or tomentose; stems green to reddish. Leaves alternate, occasionally some opposite, ovate to lanceolate, 3–17 cm long, 3.5–13 cm wide, unlobed or up to 5- (usually 3-) lobed, apex acute to acuminate, rarely obtuse, base cuneate to cordate, margins acutely or obtusely serrate, sometimes more or less crenate, rarely entire, upper surface dark green, tomentose or glabrous, lower surface paler, glabrous to tomentose; petiole 0.3–7.5 cm long. Male spikes 5–34 cm long; female spikes 2–7 cm long. Male flowers with 4 sepals 3–6 mm long. Female flowers with 3–8 sepals 2.5–12 mm long. Flowers Jul.–Feb.