A herbaceous perennial about 60-100 cm tall. Stems glabrous. Proximal leaves 2-ternate; all leaflets decurrent at base, terminal ones often 2- or 3-segmented; leaflets and segments up to 15, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 4.5-16 × 1.5-4.8 cm, sparsely pubescent abaxially, bristly along veins adaxially, margin white cartilaginous denticulate, apex acuminate. The flower buds are large and round, opening into large flowers 8-16 cm diameter, with 5-10 white, pink, or crimson petals and yellow stamens.

Alterative, analgesic, anodyne, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive, nervine and tonic (root)

Plants for a Future

Astragalin (plant); benzoic acid, gallic acid, hederagenin, linoleic acid, paeoniflorin, paeonol, palmitic acid, tannin (root); beta-sitosterol (flower); kaempferol, quercetin, quercimeritrin (leaf)

To reduce fever and pain, reduces blood pressure, protects against stress ulcers, on wounds to stop bleeding, prevent infection, for menstrual disorders, pre-menstrual tension and liver disorders (root)