A dioecious, woody climber up to 15 m long. Leaves arranged spirally; petiole 1—5 cm long; blade oblong-elliptical to ovate-elliptical, 6—14 cm x 2.5—8 cm, base cordate to cuneate, apex acutely acuminate, palmately veined, glabrous or sparsely hairy below. Flowers in solitary spikes 5—20 cm long (up to 26 cm long in fruit); rachis of male spike glabrous, with bracts 1.5—3 mm long; rachis of female spike hairy with bracts 3—4 mm long; male flower with (2—)3(—4) stamens; female flower with 3—4 stigmas. Fruit a broadly ellipsoid to almost globose berry, 4—5 mm long.
A poultice of the bark, mixed with ginger, clove and nutmeg can be applied to muscles of arms and legs that are cramped due to cold. Fresh leaves, mixed with some water, have been used to relieve headache.
Health Remedies 
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