Herbs with rhizome. Stems erect or spreading, branched, bearing one inflorescence and several leaves. Petiole sometimes long (up to 9 dm.), the part directly below the leaf-blade calloused; blade elliptic, asymmetric. Inflorescence terminal, much branched, very condensed, the branches with few nodes and with up to 4 two-flowered cymules at each node, subtended by a wide sheathing bract which does not enclose the part of the inflorescence above it, persistent; each cymule backed by a two-nerved prophyll; mesophylls present. Cymule subsessile with the flowers ± side by side but opening at different times; fleshy bracteoles absent. Outer staminodes 2, petaloid; spur-like appendage to hooded staminode absent. Ovary 3-locular, pubescent. Fruit indehiscent, 1–3-seeded. Seed with an aril.