Osmorhiza Raf.

Herbs perennial. Stem erect or decumbent at base, branched, glabrous or pubescent. Petiole sheath narrow, scarious; leaf blade triangular-ovate in outline, 2–3-ternate-pinnate (Chinese species); segments serrate to pinnatifid. Umbels loosely compound; peduncles terminal and lateral, usually exceeding the leaves; bracts few or absent; rays few, slender, unequal, lengthening and spreading in fruit; bracteoles several or occasionally absent, reflexed. Calyx teeth obsolete. Petals white, purple or greenish yellow, spatulate to obovate with a narrow inflexed apex. Stylopodium conic; styles slender, sometimes minute. Fruit (Chinese species) narrowly clavate, terete to slightly laterally flattened, apex obtuse, base caudate; ribs filiform, acute, with apically pointed bristles; vittae obscure or absent. Seed subterete in cross section, face concave. Carpophore bifid at apex, cleft up to 1/2 of its length.