Monoecious or paradioecious perennial herbs or shrubs, sometimes epiphytic or aquatic. Roots adventitious. Stem aerial or modified into rhizome, corm or tubers. Leaves alternate, entire or divided. Inflorescence a spadix, subtended by a spathe. Flowers ebracteate, uni- or bisexual, usually protandrous. Perianth usually absent, sometimes of 6 tepals in bisexual flowers (absent in
Monstera). Stamens usually 6, free or united, staminodes occasional. Ovary 1-3-locular; ovules few-many; stigma small and sessile. Fruit a berry; seeds few-many.