Perennial herb from creeping, knotted rhizomes; stems erect or arching, unbranched, glabrous, naked below, leafy above, with one or more papery sheathing bracts at base; leaves alternate, glabrous, with parallel veins, elliptic, 4-10 cm long, 1.0-3.2 cm wide, obtuse or acute at the apex, narrowed at the base to a broad petiole 3-4 mm long; inflorescence axillary; peduncles bent downward, flattened, 1-2-flowered; flowers fragrant, ivory-white with greenish veins, tubular, 17-23 mm long; fruit a several-seeded berry up to 6 mm in diameter. Flowers May and June.