Rhizomatous, tall, perennial herbs. Leaves elliptic obovate, broad, ochrea tubular. Flowers distant in a selender, long, leafless spicate raceme. Perianth 4-partite in lower half, unequal, scarcely enlarged in the fruit. Stamens 5, alternating with sessile glands, styles 2, hooked at the apex, persistent in fruit. Nuts compressed, strongly biconvex.