Herbs perennial, 25-55 cm high. Rhizomes with many fibrous roots. Stems erect, usually not branched, basal nodes with 1 pair of scalelike leaves. Scalelike leaves ovate or rectangular. Leaves opposite, usually 4 at stem apex and whorled; petiole 0.5-1.5 cm; leaf blade broadly elliptic or obovate, 8-15(-19) × 4-10(-13) cm, rigidly papery, glandular, glabrous or pubescent along veins abaxially, base broadly cuneate, margin serrate or dentate-serrate, apex acute or acuminate; lateral veins 6-8 pairs. Spikes terminal and axillary, usually 1-5 in a fascicle, 5-12 cm with peduncle; bracts ovate or nearly semiorbicular, not lobed. Flowers white. Stamens 3; connectives elongated, linear, 5-8 mm, connate at base, on outside of stigma; central connective with a 2-loculed anther; lateral connectives with a 1-loculed anther each. Ovary ovoid. Drupes green, subglobose or obovoid, 3-4 mm. Fl. May-Jun, fr. Jul-Aug.
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