Perrenial with stems erect, to c. 1(–1.5) m high. Basal and lower stem leaves with petioles shorter than lamina; lamina lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 8–30 cm long, 2–8 cm wide, cuneate to truncate at base; margins finely crisped, usually also undulate; upper leaves reduced. Inflorescence with few to many, more or less erect branches, to c. 50 cm long in all, leafy only near base; flower 'whorls' usually almost contiguous. Fruiting valves broad-ovate to almost circular, 3.5–6 mm long and almost as wide, cordate at base, entire, reticulate, usually each with a smooth, rounded callosity up to c. half as long as valve; fruiting pedicel slender, longer than valves, jointed near the base. Nut 2–3.5 mm long. Flowers mainly Oct.–Feb.