Bush 1.5-4 m high, stems commonly armed with pointed needles 1.5-7 mm long; leaves ovate-rounded to ovate-oblong, 10-35 cm, pointed or acuminate, rounded at the base, coarsly serrate to sinuous-deltate, with pungent leaves, curving on underside; petioles 2-20 cm; cymes branching, branches reddish, usually with pungent hairs; flowers dioecious; fruit white or pink, 4-5 mm.