Monoecious perennial herbs. Leaves simple, spirally disposed, petiole sheathing. Spathe large, tubular at the base. Spadix ± cylindrical. Male flowers in clusters above, surmounted by abortive males; stamens 2-4. Female flowers at the base separated from the male ones by neuter flowers. Ovary unilocular, ovules many, on parietal placentas. Fruit a many seeded berry.