Herbaceous, hardy, monocarpic plant, or perennial. Stem reaching 50 cm in height, slightly woody and thick. Large leaves, borne in a rosette; bright green palmatifid limb, up to 45 cm in width, with 5 lobes irregularly 2-pinnatipartite. Reddish-brown petiole, up to 50 cm, which recurves with age, in order to hold up the stem. Flowers 3-4 cm in diameter, borne in large numbers in a very large terminal cyme, 30-180 cm in width and very ramified. Axis of inflorescence densely covered in purple glandular hairs. Purplish-pink petals, with prominent veins, and dark red anthers.
Very rare plant which appears to inhabit high zones of the Laurisilva and other moist areas in mountainous regions of central and North Madeira. It is cultivated in gardens.