| Field notes | Terrestrial herb, 1.5-1,7 m, rhizome long-creeping. Shoot leafless 90-100 cm with up to 25 leaves. Base red, swollen to 2 cm diam. Sheath pale yellowish green with waxy layer that rubs off easily. Ligule 5-7 mm, yellow-green: Petiole 2.5-4 cm: Lamina to 31 by 6.5 cm. Lamina almost bullate, green, midrib purple, margin wavy; below consistently maroon-burgundy with green midrib. Inflorescence from base, peduncle to 11 cm. head 7 by 3.5 cm. Bracts narrow, pale brown to red at tip. Flowers red, stigma dark red. Taste bitter |