Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S. H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i (Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum Special Publication, 2 Vol. Set). Honolulu, HI

Flora of Hawaii:

Distribution     
Native range uncertain, but probably indigenous to eastern Malesia or possibly the New Hebrides, widely spread by aboriginal voyagers, now widely cultivated and occasionally naturalized. In the Hawaiian Islands, a Polynesian introduction on Ni`ihau, Kaua`i, O`ahu, Moloka`i, Lana`i, Maui, Hawai`i.

Habit
Shrubs 1.5-3 m tall; stems jointed, swollen at nodes.

Leaves
Leaves alternate, blades cordate, 13-30 cm long, 10 -23 cm wide, palmately veined, principal veins 9-13, spreading from base except the 3 uppermost, lower surface minutely puberulent on veins, petioles 2-3 cm long, stipules accrescent and usually persistent, at ultimate node and sometimes at some of the lower nodes, 4.5-5.5 cm long, 0.8-2.2 cm wide.  

Flowers
Flowers unisexual (and the plants dioecious), mature spikes white, 3-9 cm long (incl. peduncle), peduncles up to 1.5 cm long, bracts glabrous.