Annual herbaceous simple tendril climber or creeping herb normally monoecious with angular bristly stems. 3-5 lobed hispid leaves to 125mm diameter. 25mm yellow to white flowers in axillary clusters, male fascicles of yellow-white flowers to 20mm, female flowers in fascicles or solitary with rigid pungent prickles. Oblong yellow-green scabrous smooth or prickly fruit to 500mm x 37mm covered in tubercles very variable in length & breadth.