Fleshy, reddish-brown, achlorophyllous holoparasites. The massive underground rhizome bears many haustoria. Present as an underground rhizome.
Aerial portions are technically part of the inflorescence.
Reduced to scales. In contrast to Balanophoraceae, stomates are present. Scales of various sizes intermixed with the flowers, the larger ones somewhat peltate. Plants are polygamous bearing staminate, carpellate and bisexual flowers. Prior to full elongation, the anther sac rests in the depression of this bract.