Plant: perennial herb; to 30 cm tall, glabrous or pubescent, rhizomatous, aromatic Leaves: simple, alternate, basal and cauline; basal leaves petioled, the blades 5-15 cm long, elliptic-oblong with a truncate or cordate base, the margins entire; cauline leaves sessile, and clasping, 1-3 small, petioled leaves in the axils Inflorescence: terminal compact conic spikes subtended by showy white or reddish petaloid bracts Flowers: 75-150, each subtended by a white, obovate bract with a narrow claw; stamens 6-8; pistil 3(-4)-carpelled, the ovary inferior, the styles and stigmas distinct Fruit: FRUITS capsules; SEEDS 6-10 Misc: Forms large colonies in wet areas; 300-1750 m (1000-5800 ft); Apr-Oct Notes: Inflorescence in a dense, cylindric spike subtended by large, white, petallike bracts, 1-3cm long, and appearing as if it is a single flower. Ovary sunk into the rachis of the spike. Found in west and moist areas. References: Mason, Charles T., Jr. 1999. Saururaceae. Ariz. – Nev. Acad. Sci. 32(1). Kearney & Peebles; Arizona Flora. McDougall; Seed plants of Northern Arizona. Hickman, ed.; The Jepson Manual. ASU specimans