Perennial herb with erect pseudostems; leaves oblong to lanceolate, acuminate at apex, entire, base rounded, tapering; petioles long, sheathing at base; rachis bright red and yellow; inflorescence 25-40 cm long, terminal, pendulous, many flowered racemes; pedicels up to 1 cm long; each flower dichlamydeous, subtented by a membranous, orange-red or yellow, orange, green and white, floral bract; calyx and corolla basally united into a short tube; fertile stamens-5, staminode-1; ovary 3-celled, ovule solitary in each cell, fruits indehiscent, fleshy or juicy; seeds surrounded by stony, rough endocarp.