Cryptotaeniopsis nudicaulis H. de Boissieu, Bull. Acad. Int. Géogr. Bot. 16: 184. 1906; Pternopetalum nudicaule var. esetosum Handel-Mazzetti.

Plants 10–25 cm. Stems slender, glabrous. Basal leaves 4–6, petiolate, petioles 6–15 cm, glabrous; blade triangular in outline, 3–8(–12) × 2.5–6(–10) cm, ternate; leaflets 3, lateral leaflets ovate, terminal leaflets rhomboidal (1.5–)3–6(–8.5) × (1–) 2–3(–5) cm, 2–3-lobed or entire, glabrous except sparsely setulose along main veins and margins, margin serrate. Cauline leaves absent. Umbels terminal, 2.5–3 cm across in flower, to 9 cm in fruit; bracts absent; rays 10–30, 1.5–5 cm, pubescent; bracteoles 2–3, 0.5–1.5 mm; umbellules 2–3-flowered; pedicels 0.3–1.5 mm. Calyx teeth subulate, 0.6–0.9 mm. Petals white, ca. 1.3 × 0.6 mm. Stylopodium conic; styles elongate; stylopodium and styles ca. 1 mm. Fruit oblong-ovoid, 2.5–4 × 1–1.5 mm; ribs finely scabrid; vittae 1–3 in each furrow, 2–4 on commissure. Fl. and fr. Apr–Aug.

This species has reputed medicinal value.

Forests, stream banks, moist shady rocks; 600–1800 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, C Yunnan [NE India, N Vietnam].