Herbs perennial. Rhizome robust, creeping or ascending. Leaves 2--4, basal, long petiolate, simple, cordate or cordate-triangular, dentate. Scape simple, with membranous sheath at base. Cyme compound, with 1--3 sessile fascicled flowers at several nodes. Bracts and bracteoles subulate or lanceolate. Flower actinomorphic, opening flat. Sepals 5, petaloid, white, elliptic. Petals absent. Stamens numerous; filaments subfiliform; anthers subglobose. Follicle solitary, long, narrow, flat, with transverse veins. Seeds several, ovoid-globose, rugose.

The rhizomes are used medicinally to treat rheumatic pain, influenza, and swelling.

Two species: China, Myanmar; two species (one endemic) in China.

(Authors: Li Liangqian; Michio Tamura)