This is a small genus of arum-like plants, with flowers consisting of a hooded spathe and a long, narrow spadix, with dark or muted colours. They make spreading mats of leaves, usually plain green and heart-shaped.

Arisarum proboscideum has flowers about 3 cm high, with a dark brown spathe, shading to white in the lower half, and with a very long brown tail extending from the top of the spathe. Reputed to look like mice running into the foliage. Some people have vivid imaginations.