Erect, branched herb, 30-90 cm tall; suffruticose. Stem and branches pubescent, dark gland dotted. Leaves sessile, opposite, 5-13-pinnate; leaflets 35-100 x 12-37 mm, elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, serrulate, acute to acuminate, pubescent. Flowers light-pink, showy; bracts c. 16 mm long, lanceolate, dark gland dotted. Pedicel long, densely glandular, patent hairy with stipitate glands. Sepals oblong, c. 1 cm long, persistent. Petals c. 3 cm long, oblong, clawed, white striped pink, glandular in the middle. Stamens hairy-glandular at the top, exserted. Ovary 5-lobed, hispid. Style curving downwards. Capsule compressed, c. 2 cm in diameter, stipitate-glandular; segments corniculate, each segment 2-3-seeded. (dehiscing explosively). Seeds subglobose, glossy black.

Fl. Per.: June-July.

Type: Described from Germany, Italy & France, Hb. LINN 536/1.

Distribution: S. & C. Europe, temperate, Asia; temperate W. Himalayas.

A polymorphic species showing considerable variation in indumentum, shape, size and number of leaflets. Found in Chitral, Swat, Hazara and Kashmir, on low hills and fields from 2300-3500 m. The plant secretes a volatile oil and in still hot weather the air around the plant could become inflamable. The plant is fragrant giving a lemon smell. Sometimes cultivated. English name: Burning Bush, or Gas plant.