Bases slightly heart-shaped to tapered. Tips tapered, acute to acuminate. Leaves broadly lanceolate, 15-35 cm long . Bases heart-shaped . Rhizomes thick, extensive , store large quantities of carbohydrates, and spread aggressively.
Fragments can produce new plants.
Rhizomes often 5-6 m long, but documented to 20 m long. Rhizomes can penetrate 2 inches of asphalt. Rhizomes buried to soil depths of 1 m can regenerate, but fragments regenerate best from just below the soil surface. Panicles branched, open, lax , with numerous flowers. Flowers bisexual , fragrant.