Stem pubescent to glabrous, 2-4 m long; dioecious. Tendrils simple, slender. Leaves cordate-ovate, c. 6-(7-12) cm long and almost as broad, sinuately 5-lobed, lobes triangular, acute, both surfaces shortly hairy, margin minutely denticulate; petiole pubescent, 3.3-(4-10) cm long. Male peduncle generally slender, apex 10-15-flowered, 6-20 cm long, pedicels filiform, erect or spreading, 0.5-1.5 cm long. Calyx tube campanulate, puberulous, 5-6 mm long, 34 mm broad; lobes 2-3 mm long. Corolla yellow, nerves reticulate, greenish, outside puberulous, petals ovate, obtuse, 5-6 mm long and 4-5 mm broad. Staminal filaments villous, 1-2.5 mm long, anthers 2-3 mm long. Female flowers corymbose, peduncle generally 4-7-flowered, 14 cm long; pedicels elongated; style not exserted, stigmas hairy. Fruit globose, greenish, ultimately red or yellow, smooth, but wrinkled when dry, 8-10 mm in diameter. Seeds yellowish, finely rugulose, thinly marginate, (4-5)-6 mm long, c. (3.5-4)4-5 mm broad and c. 1.5 mm thick.

Type: U.S.S.R., Narzan, Bieberstein (LE, Lectotype).

Distribution: Pakistan, N.W. India, N. Afghanistan, N. & N.E. Iran, Caucasus, and Turkey.