Description: Acaulescent herb; roots fusiform. Leaves alternate, elliptic to oblong, 9–20 cm long; apex acute to acuminate; base attenuate, truncate to cordate; lamina sparsely pubescent on upper surface; petiole to 25 cm long, canaliculate, pubescent. Inflorescence panicle of numerous cincinni with one basal bract enclosing 1–2 bisexual flowers, remaining inflorescence a panicle of male flowers; peduncle 5–6 cm long, densely woolly. Bract spathaceous, broad elliptic, 1.5–2 cm broad; apex pointed; margin densely woolly, sparsely pubescent on the upper surface. Flower white or violet; perianth 6, in 2 whorls, 0.7–1 cm long, the outer somewhat broader. Stamens 6; filaments ca 5 mm long, densely woolly; anther longitudinally dehiscent, ca 1 mm long. Ovary 3-loculed, ca 1 cm long including style. Male flowers similar but smaller, perianth 3–4 mm long, filaments ca 4 mm long, ovary not developed. Capsule 3-valved, angulate, ca 2 cm long. Seeds 4–8, reniform with an orange aril, ca. 5 mm long. |
