Herbs perennial, glabrous. Rhizome present. Stems unbranched or branched. Leaves basal, subbasal, or cauline. Inflorescences terminal on stems or branches, 1-flowered. Flowers bisexual. Sepals 5. Petals 5--13, glandular striate, clawed. Stamens numerous; filaments lanceolate-linear; anthers ellipsoid to narrowly oblong. Pistils numerous; ovule 1 per ovary, pendulous. Fruit aggregate. Achenes ovoid to obovoid.

Twelve species: Asia, Europe; five species (two endemic) in China.

(Authors: Fu Dezhi; Orbélia R. Robinson)