Herbs, perennial, fleshy, glabrous. Rhizomes stout. Lateral roots few to numerous. Stems 1 to numerous, or main stem inconspicuous, unbranched. Leaves mostly basal; petiole winged, base often dilated; leaf blade margin entire, serrate, or pinnately parted. Scapes 1 to numerous. Inflorescences narrowly spicate or capitate, densely flowered; bracts imbricate. Bracteoles absent. Calyx spathelike, lower side splitting to base, upper side lobed or splitting to base, membranous, margin ciliate. Corolla 2-lipped; lower lip 2-4-lobed; upper lip entire or 2-lobed. Stamens 2, inserted at corolla sinuses or filaments adnate to margin near base of upper lip and as long as lip or shorter; anthers mostly reniform. Ovary 2-loculed. Stigma capitate or 2-lobed. Fruit drupaceous. Seeds 1 or 2.
Home