In the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and throughout the Pacific. The roots are starchy and can be used as a source of food. It has been divided in the past into three tribes, based on the unilocular or trilocular condition of the ovary and the presence of petaloid staminodes in the flowers. Zygomorphic and perfect, often showy.
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.