Growing in the tropical montane forests of New Guinea - Arfak Mountains Regency in Indonesia, its leaves can reach a length of 5 m (16 ft) and a width of 1 m (39 in).

[3] This, the largest herbaceous plant on earth, was completely unknown to science prior to 1960.

Since its discovery in 1954, though, taller individuals up to 30 m (98 ft) have been reported,[4] but these measurements have yet to be confirmed by a specific scientific study.

[2] This cluster is borne on a peduncle up to 10 cm (4 in) thick and up to 15 m (49 ft) in length, again the longest of any known plant.

The large inflorescence can hold over 300 oblong fruits, 18 cm (7 in) long, that are filled with blackish-brown seeds and yellowish pulp that is edible, sweet, and delicious when cooked, and according to some, reminiscent of fine butternut squash mixed with a sweet banana with a dash of tangy lime and citrus added.