Plants 2-3 m tall. Root thick tap root. Leaves large, bipinnate, pubescent; segments oblong, entire, obtuse. Inflorescence densely pubescent. Umbels com¬pact. Petals whitish-yellow, persistent. Fruit broadly oblong to suborbicular, c. 1 cm long, 8 mm broad; vittae inconspicuous, numerous, minute; fruit wing nearly as broad as the seed.

Type: Described from Persia.

Distribution: Iran, Afghanistan, USSR, W. Pakistan.

Asafoetida of commerce is extracted from the cut end of the root below the stem region of this and the other related species in the late spring. It is used in medicine, chiefly in veterinary work. It is also used as a flavouring.