Each stem bears a single leaf and an inflorescence, the remaining leaves arising directly from the rhizome which can be 6 m (20 ft) long.

These leaves are borne on petioles up to 5 m (16 ft) long which sheath the stem at its base and have calloused portions just below the blade.

It occurs in wet habitats in both primary and secondary forests, in clearings, in logged areas and on fallow land.

[2] The leaves are also used in herbal medicine as a sedative and to treat epilepsy and mental problems, another use being as an antidote to snake venom and arthropod stings.

[5] Other research showed that a leaf extract given at low dose rates may positively affect blood producing tissues.