A dioecious, perennial vine up to 6 m long, stem sharply angular, almost glabrous. Leaves broadly ovate in outline, 3(-5)-lobed or rarely entire, 10-12 cm in diameter, base deeply cordate, lobes acute, glabrescent. Flowers monoecious; corolla about 8 cm in diameter; male inflorescence 10-18 cm long, bracts broadly elliptical to broadly elliptical-obovate, about 15 mm x 25 mm, dentate; female flowers solitary. Fruit ovoid, red, 6-9 cm long; seeds obovate, compressed.

Purgative and emetic (leaves, shoots and fruits).

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Used to poultice boils (leaves); drunk by children to treat diarrhoea (leaf juice).