Glabrous, 1-2 m tall, branched; nodes swollen. Leaves pinnately to ternate¬ly dissected; segments filiform to linear. Peduncles 5-12 cm long. Involucre of divided bracts, deflexed; segments filiform. Umbel receptacle enlarged. Rays up to 50, contracted in fruit, stout. Involucel of linear bractlets. Calyx teeth minute. Fruit ovoid to oblong, 2 mm long.

Type: Described from Southern Europe.

Distribution: North and South America, North Africa, Europe, Asia.

This species of the East Mediterranean region is naturalized at Peshawar and other places in the Frontier region. The fruit contains khellin and visnagin and the drug prepared from it is used for heart diseases and asthma.