Tree up to c. 7 m. tall, trunk up to c. 3 dm. diam., bark rough; branches candelabra-like. Lvs in dense clusters towards apex of branches, ± squarrosely spreading to reflexed, coriac., glab. Sheath c. 4 × 2.5 cm., gradually tapering into lamina ± 25-60 × 2.5-3·5 cm., gradually narrowing into very long fine point; margins very minutely serrulate-crenulate. Panicle rather slender, ± 15-30-(45) cm. long; at first erect or ascending, drooping in fruiting stage; branches close-set, ± 3·5 cm. long, at acute angle to axis. Bracts ovate-oblong, pubescent. Fls close-set on pubescent pedicels c. 3-4 mm. long. Sepals short, broad-ovate, acute to subacute, reflexed. Corolla-tube ± 3 mm. long, lobes oblong, obtuse, reddish. Anthers slightly exserted. Capsule depressed-globose, c. 2.5 mm. diam.

Slender shrub or tree up to c. 5 m. tall; branches not verticillate, branchlets very slender. Lvs with sheaths ± 3 × 1·5 cm., gradually narrowed into rather thin lamina (10)-20-30 cm. × 10-25 mm., slightly widening near base then tapering to acute apex; margins smooth or nearly so. Panicle terminal, rather slender, drooping, ± 10-30 cm. long, branching at an acute to subacute angle; branches up to c. 5 cm. long, again branched. Bracts c. 2-3 mm. long, ovate, pubescent. Fls on pubescent pedicels c. 1·5 mm. long. Sepals yellowish green, c. 1 mm. long, ovate, pubescent. Corolla-tube c. 2 mm. long; lobes oblong, obtuse, c. 3 mm. long, purplish red to almost black. Anthers exserted; style slender, c. 2.5 mm. long. Capsule depressed-globose, c. 2-3 mm. diam.