It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant growing in bogs and ponds.

The greenish-yellow inflorescence is produced on a spadix about 4–6 cm (1+1⁄2–2+1⁄4 in) long, enclosed in a white spathe.

[5][6] The plant is very poisonous when fresh due to its high oxalic acid content, but the rhizome (like that of Caladium, Colocasia, and Arum) is edible after drying, grinding, leaching and boiling.

These plants from tropical Africa, however, are still often termed "calla lilies" but should not be confused with C.

[10] It is native to cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, in central, eastern and northern Europe (France and Norway eastward), northern Asia and northern North America (Alaska, Canada, and northeastern contiguous United States).