Herbs, perennial or biennial, rarely annual. Stems usually solitary, sometimes several, branches slender. Basal and lower leaves 2–3-pinnate or 1–2-pinnate; ultimate segments obovate, linear-lanceolate or linear. Upper leaves reduced, smaller, sessile on expanded sheaths. Umbels compound, terminal and lateral; bracts several, usually persistent, linear to lanceolate, rarely caducous; rays 6–15(–20); bracteoles several, linear. Calyx teeth usually obsolete, occasionally minute. Petals white or pinkish, base cuneate, apex notched, with narrow incurved lobule. Stylopodium conic or low-conic; styles longer than stylopodium, reflexed after flowering. Fruit oblong-ovoid or subglobose, slightly compressed dorsally; ribs 5, narrowly corky-winged, lateral ribs a little broader than the others, or ribs subequal; vittae 1 in each furrow, 2 on commissure. Seed face plane, rarely slightly concave. Carpophore 2-parted.

The following species have been described from Chinese material, but are imperfectly known as no specimens have been seen or the specimens are inadequate.

Cnidium affine H. Wolff (Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 12: 451. 1922, not C. A. Meyer, 1849), described from Jilin (“Hsiau Wutai Shan” [Xiaowutai Shan], W. Limpricht 545, holotype, ?B).

Cnidium limprichtii H. Wolff (Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 12: 451. 1922; Tilingia limprichtii (H. Wolff) Leute), described from Shanxi (“Yimaling to Lingtsiu,” 1600 m, W. Limpricht 637, holotype, ?B).

Cnidium warburgii H. Wolff (Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 19: 310. 1924), described from C and S Taiwan (O. Warburg 9792 & 10686, syntypes, unlocalized).

Six to eight species: Asia, Europe; five species (one endemic) in China.

(Authors: Pu Fading (溥发鼎 Pu Fa-ting); Mark F. Watson)