2n = 38

2n = 38

2n = 38

Plant to c. 8 m high; stems massive, rather sparingly branched. Leaves to 1-2 m × 10-15 cm, broadly ensiform, narrowed above base to short petiole; midrib and several nerves conspicuous, reddish. Panicle tightly compact, 60-160 cm long. Flowers long-pedicelled, ± fleshy; segments 7-8 mm long. Berry bluish.

Plant to c. 8 m. tall; stems massive, rather sparingly branched. Lvs to 1–2 m. ×10–15 cm., broadly ensiform, drooping only in age, narrowed above base to a short petiole to c. ⅓ lamina-width; lamina glaucous abaxially where stomata are very ∞; midrib broad and conspicuous, often reddish; nerves unequal, especially adaxially, the stronger ones often reddish like midrib, meeting midrib at definite angle; margins laxly revolute. Peduncle stout, short, ± hidden. Panicle to c. 60–160 × 30 cm., tightly compact, us. (possibly always) with only first order branching from stout central axis; lower bracts broad and heavy; racemes c. 10–20 cm. long, c. 2 cm. diam. with fls on; axes hidden by crowded fls; pedicels to 2–3 mm. long, longer than in other spp. Fls inclined to be fleshy; per. c. 7–8 mm. long, tepals shortly connate, strongly recurved. Stamens c. = tepals; filaments narrow. Stigma narrow-capitate. Fr. c. 6 mm. diam., globose, bluish. Seeds c. 2 mm. long, shining, 2 sides flat and one convex. 2n = 38.