The female flowers have long, filamentous staminodes. Fossils in the Eocene. Inflorescence of small and numerous flowers forming a spadix of both male and female individuals. Fruit a single berry or multiple of fused berries. Seeds with a fleshy covering.
Placentation is apical or parietal.
Habit is as perennial herbs, lianas or epiphytes. Leaves are deeply lobed or compound with a 'palm-like' blade and alternate or spirally arranged. Petioles are sheathed at the base. Stipules are lacking.