Habit: herbaceous, swollen nodes, sometimes succulent
Leaves: alternate, simple, entire, basally sheathing
Inflorescence: scorpioid or umbelliform cyme subtended by spathes
Flowers: usually perfect (rarely imperfect), regular or irregular
Sepals: 3, free or connate, green
Petals: 3, distinct, rarely connate
Stamens: 6 (1-3), distinct
Ovary: carpels 3, connate, 1-few ovules per carpel, ovary superior