Sect. Herbaceae (Hooker) A. Camus.

Shrubs procumbent, alpine. Petiole short; leaf blade orbicular, ovate, or broadly elliptic, subleathery, apex acute, rounded, obtuse, or retuse; lateral veins 4 or 5 on each side of midvein. Flowering coetaneous. Catkins terminal, capitate or ellipsoid, 3-20-flowered. Male flower: glands adaxial and abaxial; stamens 2; filaments glabrous. Female flower: abaxial gland divided or entire, sometimes absent; ovary glabrous, stipitate; style conspicuous.