Herbs large or short, (0.6-)1.5-2 m tall. Rhizomes and roots yellow, stout. Stem stout, hollow, finely sulcate, glabrous or pubescent. Basal leaves orbicular or broadly ovate, large, 30-60 cm, abaxially pubescent, adaxially papilliferous or muricate, basal veins 5, base subcordate, palmately 5-lobed, middle 3 lobes pinnatisect, apex narrowly acute. Stem leaves few, much parted; ocrea large, abaxially pubescent, clasping. Panicle large; branches connivent. Pedicel 2-3 mm, slender, jointed below middle. Flowers small; tepals purple-red, rarely light red, orbicular, inner 3 larger, ca. 1.5 mm. Ovary broadly ovoid; style short; stigma inflated. Fruit oblong-ovoid to oblong, 8-9.5 × 7-7.5 mm; wings 2-2.5 mm wide, with longitudinal veins near margin. Seeds black, ovoid.

Cathartic, diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative, purgative and stomachic (root)

The roots and rhizomes are useful in treating constipation and abdominal pain with tenderness, hematemesis, epistaxis, bloodshot eyes, sore throat, gum swelling, boils, burns, sores, abscesses, amenorrhea, traumatic injuries, and lumps with symptoms due to blood stasis, jaundice, and oliguria with dysuria.

Use with caution for women during pregnancy or breast-feeding periods.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 552, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.