[2] It spreads diffusely, creeping along the ground, branching heavily and rooting at the nodes, obtaining stem lengths up to 1 metre.

[3] The leaf blades are relatively variable, ranging from lanceolate to ovate,[2] with proximal leaves tending to be more oblong.

The leaves are subsessile (i.e. having a very small petiole) with a leaf sheath striped with red and covered with hispid pubescence.

This is a form of a monochasium where the lateral branches arise alternately on opposite sides of the false axis.

The spathes are solitary, borne on a peduncle and typically falcate (i.e. sickle-shaped) with a cordate (i.e. heart-shaped) to rounded base, acuminate apices and can be either glabrous or hispidulous (i.e. minutely hispid) beneath.

[3] Within China, it can be found at sea level up to 2,100 metres (6,889 feet), typically being associated with forests, thickets, stream banks and open, humid habitats.

[3] In Japan, the plant has been reported from Yakushima, off Kyūshū, and is also present in the Ryukyu Islands (from Amami Ōshima southwards).

[4] In the West Indies, it is a common weed that is especially associated with roadsides, moist ditches and wasteland, where it can be found from sea level to 1,050 metres.

[2] It has been introduced to the eastern and southeastern United States, where it is present from Maryland in the north, west to Missouri and south to Texas and Florida.

The plant is commonly observed in California, mainly as a seasonal perennial, where it reseeds each fall and reappears in the spring, generally after periods of rain.

It is most commonly seen in the Southern Californian counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

According to a work by Bruce French published on papuaweb.org, the young leaf tips are cooked and eaten in New Guinea.