Herbs perennial, rarely annual. Stems usually from horizontal rhizomes, erect to decumbent, simple. Leaves cauline, alternate, also often in basal rosettes; leaf blade usually oblong, pinnately lobed, divided, or compound, glabrous to glandular-pubescent, often with a mephitic odor. Inflorescences paniculate, rarely capitate. Calyx campanulate, herbaceous throughout, papery in fruit. Corolla pink, violet, or blue, rarely white or yellow, actinomorphic, campanulate to funnelform. Stamens epipetalous at same level, included or exserted; filaments equal, basally puberulent. Ovary 3-locular. Stigma lobes 3, spreading. Capsule ovoid, rarely globose. Seeds brown to black, usually angular, 1-12 per locule.

Twenty species: temperate Asia, Europe, North America, South America (1 species); three species in China.