Morphology is complex, with fused staminodes forming a labellum. Inflorescence of solitary flowers or flowers borne in terminal cymes, heads, racemes or spikes. Each flower subtended by a sheathing bract. Fruit a brightly colored berry or capsule. Seeds round with a red aril and endosperm present.
Placentation is axile or basal.
Habit is as perennial herbs with short, fleshy rhizomes or tuberous roots. Open sheaths at the leaf bases with a ligule present. Petiole is long and leaf blade is rolled in bud.