Leaves hastate to sagittate, 9–35(–40) cm long, 2–29 cm wide, usually variegated, veins whitish; apex acute to obtuse. Inflorescence borne on axis shorter than leaves; bract 11–30 cm long; tube c. 5 cm long, pale green, rarely purplish; limb ± elliptic, erect, apex acute to acuminate, drooping, usually greenish white; inflorescence axis 4–14 cm long, yellow; female flowers and neuter organs cream, male flowers yellow. Fruiting spike oblong-cylindric, 5–9(–12) cm long; fruit 4–11 mm long.
VVP, GipP, EGL. Commonly grown in cultivation, and persists as a garden escape.
Sometimes divided into 4 subspecies, with Victorian plants included in subsp. italicum.
