Plants up to 1 m tall. Upper stems dichotomously branched. Rootstock thick with fibrous roots. Basal and lower leaves long petioled, palmately divided to the base; lobes 3-5, oval to rhomboidal, 3-10 cm long; margins toothed; teeth spinulose; upper leaves short petioled to subsessile. Inflorescence a compound umbel, usually dichotomously branched. Involucre of 2 or 3 lobed, toothed or entire bracts. Rays usually repeatedly divided. Involucel of minute, linear bract-lets. Calyx teeth linear, 0.5 mm long. Male flowers 3-8 in an umbellet, pedicel¬late; pedicels stout. Perfect flowers 3-4 in an umbellet, subsessile. Styles 1 mm long. Fruit ovoid, 3 mm long, covered with uncinate bristles; ridges obsolete; vittae minute, numerous; commissure with 2 large vittae. Inner seed face slightly concave.

Type locality: Ad Narainhetty Nepalensium, Hamilton.

Distribution: South Japan to S.W. China, S.E. Asia, India, W. Pakistan, East to South Africa.

The related species S. europaea contains saponine, tannin, essential oils & vitamin C. It is used in medicine.