Herbs, perennial, ca. 50 cm tall. Rootstock short, with 2-5 fleshy roots, fusiform, 2-4 cm, ca. 1 cm in diam. Leaves usually 4, verticillate at apex of stem, palmately compound; bases of petiole and petiolules with numerous lanceolate, stipulelike appendages; leaflets 3 or 4, obovate-elliptic to obovate-oblong, 9-10 × 3.5-4 cm (lateral ones smaller), membranous, abaxially glabrous, adaxially setose on veins (trichomes 1.5-2 mm), base attenuate, margin biserrate, apex long caudate-acuminate. Inflorescence a solitary, terminal umbel 20-50-flowered; peduncle ca. 12 cm; pedicels ca. 1 cm, glabrous. Ovary 2-carpellate; styles 2 divided, reflexed.

Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic and stimulant (roots and flowers)

Plants For A Future
Flora of China

Betulin (seed oil)

The root is used internally in the treatment of indigestion, vomiting, coronary heart disease and angina. The roots are also used both internally and externally in the treatment of nosebleeds, haemorrhages from the lungs, digestive tract and uterus, and injuries. The flowers are used to treat vertigo and dizziness.