Species of roscoea are small perennial herbaceous plants. They die back each year to a short vertical rhizome, to which the tuberous roots are attached. The leaves are without a stalk. Lower leaves may consist solely of a sheath; upper leaves have a blade which is free from the pseudostem, and is oblong or lanceolate. The flowers are borne in a spike at the end of the pseudostems. Each flower has a tube-shaped outer calyx, which is split on one side and ends in two or three teeth. The ovary has three "cells" or locules, eventually producing many small arillate seeds. Whereas roscoea species are native to mountainous regions of the Himalayas, China and its southern neighbours. Roscoea is found in Asia. There are up to 22 recognized species, of which 8 are endemic to China.