Plants 30–120 cm, glabrous. Root cylindrical. Stem single, little-branched, base clothed in fibrous remnant sheaths. Basal leaf blades ovate in outline, 4–8 × 3–6 cm, 3–4-pinnate, primary pinnae 4–5 pairs; ultimate segments linear, 3–10 × 1–2 mm. Cauline leaves few, gradually reduced upward. Terminal umbels 5–7 cm across, lateral umbels smaller; bracts 4–6, linear; rays 8–14, unequal, 2–4 cm; bracteoles 4–8, linear, ca. equaling pedicels, margins narrowly white membranous. Calyx teeth lanceolate, ca. 0.6 mm. Petals white, obovate, base cuneate. Fruit oblong-ovoid, 3.5–4 × 3–3.5 mm; ribs prominent, subequal; vittae 1 in each furrow, 2 on commissure. Seed face plane.

Analgesic, antibacterial, emmenagogue, haemostatic, nervine, oxytocic, sedative and vasodilator (root)

Flora of China
Plants For A Future

The roots are used in the treatment of abnormal menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, cerebral embolism, coronary heart disease, headaches and body aches.

Do not use if pregnant.