Roots 20-50 cm, twisted fibrous, dry, 5-11-branched; buds more than 3 mm, usually present throughout dormant season. Stems 2-8 per root, usually unbranched, elongation commencing within 2 weeks of leaf initiation; base not narrowed, firmly attached to root. Leaves largest at or slightly below middle of stem; petiole ascending; blade shape and lobing similar throughout. Inflorescences ± dense, usually 3-8 flowers per 5 cm, narrowly pyramidal to cylindric; pedicel spreading-ascending, usually less than 3 cm; bracts ± similar to leaves but smaller. Fruits erect. Seeds rectangular to crescent-shaped, 1.5-3.5 × 1.2-2.5 mm, not ringed at proximal end, wing-margined; seed coats with small wavy ridges, cells elongate, margins straight.

Species ca. 30 (1 in the flora): North America, South America, Eurasia, Africa, Australia.