Tuberous perennial up to 1m. Leaves are large, plain green and arrow-shaped with a spongy leaf stalk; a large striking, pure white, funnel-shaped spathe surrounds a yellow, central flower-bearing column; upper part of column bears the male flowers, lower part female.

Tubers are eaten by porcupine, commonly known as the 'iron pig'!

After: Francesco Zantedeschi, (d.1846), Italian physician and botanist and author of Italian Flora.