Herbs perennial, rhizomatous, sometimes stoloniferous. Stipules adnate to and sheathing petiole; radical leaves pinnate or pseudopinnate; terminal leaflet largest; lateral leaflets often in alternating larger and smaller pairs; cauline leaves few, often 3-foliolate or bractlike. Flowers solitary or in corymbs, bisexual. Hypanthium turbinate or hemispheric. Sepals 5, valvate, persistent; epicalyx segments 5, small, alternate with sepals. Petals 5, yellow, white, or red, orbicular or obovate. Stamens numerous, crowded. Disk lining hypanthium, smooth or ribbed. Carpels numerous, borne on prominent, usually cylindric receptacle, free; ovule ascending; style filiform, jointed; stigma slightly recurved or hooked, minute. Achenes sessile or stipitate, small, hooked at apex of beak. Seed erect; testa membranous; cotyledons oblong. x = 7.

Wu Zhengyi (editor's note) believes that Geum sensu lato may include Acomastylis and even Taihangia.

About 70 species: widespread in temperate zones of both hemispheres; three species in China.

(Authors: Li Chaoluan (Li Chao-luang); Hiroshi Ikeda, Hideaki Ohba)