Herbs annual. Cotyledons persistent. Leaves rosulate, borne on elongated hypocotyl; veins dichotomous. Flowers fascicled in axil of upper leaves, bisexual but number of organs variable. Sepals 2 or 3, persistent. Petals absent. Stamens 1 or 2(or 3), alternating with sepals; anthers 2-loculed, introrse. Carpels 1--3, separate; ovary superior; style absent; stigma terminal, papillate; ovule 1 per ovary, subapical, pendulous. Fruit indehiscent. Seeds with copious endosperm; embryo terete, straight, with short cotyledons.

Wang Wen-tsai. 1980. Circaeaster. In: Wang Wen-tsai, ed., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 28: 239–241.

One genus and two species: China, Japan; one species in China.

(Authors: Fu Dezhi; Bruce Bartholomew)