Large arborescent shrub with stout trunk 1 - 1.5 m high. Leaves in lower part and on non flowering shoots > 30 cm long, dull green above with pinkish midrib, glaucesent beneath. Inflorescence 70 - 100 cm long with stout rachis and widely diffused long branches 30 - 40 cm long. Flowers somewhat aromatic. Phyllaries dark purple, outer c. 1 cm long. Capitula ± pendent, c. 2 cm across; florets white. Style pale green, well exserted from anther sheath.