Tufted, rhizomatous herbs with perennial leaves; leafy stems hidden. Leaves 3-ranked, linear-lanceolate, parallel-veined, keeled; sheath closed at base; undersurface with an appressed white-silvery indumentum. Inflorescence a terminal panicle; branches pubescent, lower ones subtended by foliaceous spathes; bracts membranous. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, pedicellate. Perianth segments 10, 12 or 14, connate below, membranous. Stamens 10-14, inserted on perianth tube; anthers dehiscing by longitudinal slits, introrse. Ovary superior, 5-7-locular; placentas axile, each expanded into 2 elongated lobes with a row of ovules along each margin; style very short, 5-7-branched; stigmas elongated, decurrent. Fruit a berry. Seeds numerous, small, black, glossy, smooth, with a hard testa.
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