Caldasia Lagasca y Segura, Amen. Nat. Españ. 1(2): 98. 1821, not Willdenow (1806).

Herbs perennial and caespitose. Stem inconspicuous or very short, branching from base. Leaves all basal; petiole with membranous sheath at base; blade oblong to ovate, 1–2-pinnate; ultimate segments linear-lanceolate, minute. Umbels simple, 4–20-flowered; peduncles long, scapelike; bracts 4–10, leaflike, oblanceolate, entire, pinnatifid or pinnate, often longer than umbels. Flowers small, white, bisexual. Calyx teeth obsolete. Petals oblong, apex acute and incurved. Stylopodium shortly conic or conic. Fruit oblong-ovoid or oblong-linear, gradually tapered to apex, slightly flattened laterally, commissure constricted; ribs 5, obtuse ridged; vittae 1 in each furrow, 2 on commissure. Seed face slightly concave. Carpophore bifid at apex.

About 22 species: mainly in S Asia, Australasia, and Central and South America; one species (endemic) in China.

(Authors: Pan Zehui (潘泽惠); Mark F. Watson)