Subshrub or herb, 1-3(-4) m tall. Stem pilose with hairs to 2 mm long. Petiole 0.2-1 cm long, pilose, glabrescent, vaginate to apex, sometimes reddish tinged; blade somewhat scabrous, not conspicuously glandular-dotted, elliptic-ovate, elliptic-oblong or lanceolate, 9-20 x 4-6(-10) cm, margin hardly ciliate, apex acuminate or acute, base equal or almost equally attached to petiole, subcordate to rounded, somewhat pilose above, more so below; pinnately veined, secondary veins (4-)6-8 per side, originating from throughout primary vein, plane above, prominent below. Inflorescence pendent; peduncle 0.9-1.6 cm long, pilose, often red; spike 2.5-5 cm long, not apiculate; floral bracts cucullate and pilose on inner side and at base. Fruits ovoid, ca. 2 mm wide, glandular, glabrous, stigmas 3, may be on a short style or fruits apiculate.