Plants perennial, 1–2 m high. Root brown, conic, 1–2 cm thick, strongly aromatic. Stem often purple-green, ribbed, glabrous. Petioles 13–36 cm, sheaths purple, elliptic; blade triangular to ovate, 10–25 cm, 1–2-ternate-pinnate; leaflets ovate or oblong-lanceolate, 5–15 × 2–5 cm, base decurrent, margin white-cartilaginous and cuspidate-serrate, apex acute, midribs often purple-green, hispidulous along nerves adaxially; peduncles 3–8 cm, pubescent; bracts 1–3, purplish, ovate, sheath-like, reflexed; rays 10–22, 2–4 cm, pubescent; bracteoles 3–8, linear to lanceolate, green or purple; pedicels pubescent; calyx teeth triangular-subulate. Petals dark purple, obovate or ellipsoid-lanceolate, apex incurved but not notched; anthers dark purple. Fruit oblong to ovoid-orbicular, 4–7 × 3–5 mm; dorsal ribs filiform, acute, lateral ribs thickly narrow-winged; vittae 1–3 in each furrow, 4–6 on commissure.

Analgesic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antitussive, expectorant and stimulant (root); antiseptic, antiarthritic, antispasmodic, carminative, lenitive, stimulant, stomachic, tonic (plant)

Plants For A Future
Flora of China

The roots are used in the treatment of coughs with thick phlegm, dyspnea, asthma and upper respiratory tract infections.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 472, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.