Shrub, 1-3 m tall. Branches stiff hairy. Leaves 5-15 cm long, nearly as broad; obscurely to prominently 3 to rarely 5-lobed, broadly ovate or somewhat orbicular truncate at base, acute at apex, serrate, simple or 2-rayed hairy above, stellate below; stipules linear, 7-12 mm long, 1 mm broad; petiole 2-6 cm long, densely hairy. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicel 2-3 cm long, hispid. Epicalyx segments 5, 2-3 cm long, 1 cm broad, broadly elliptic, long acuminate. Calyx fused to the middle, equalling or slightly shorter than epicalyx. Corolla large, 5-7 cm across, yellow; petals 5-7 cm long, 3-4 cm broad. Staminal column 2-3 cm long. Capsule 1.5-2.5 cm long, (including 4-6 mm long beak), 1-2 cm across, ovoid, slightly hispid. Seeds 2-3 mm across, dark brown, pubescent.

Holotype: (C!).

Distribution: Tropical Africa, S. Africa, Madagascar and Macsarene Islands; elsewhere cultivated.

It is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental.