Scrambling or climbing shrubs, rarely herbs; aerial roots present. Leaves ± densely crowded, linear or lanceolate, basally with membranous, marcescent or caducous sheath margins. Inflorescences terminal or lateral, consisting of pedunculate simple spadices (usually 2-5), arranged in an umbel or short raceme and initially enclosed by several crowded, 3-seriate, green or colored, caducous spathes. Flowers unisexual, rarely bisexual; perianth absent. Stamens densely congested on rachis. Ovaries densely congested on rachis, usually surrounded by minute staminodes, 1-locular; ovules numerous, congested on 2 or more parietal placentae; stigmas 2 or more, separate or confluent. Fruit a berry, with or without a hardened apex. Seeds numerous.

About 175 species: Sri Lanka to SE Asia, Australia, and Pacific islands; one species in China.