Plants 40–100(–200) cm tall, pubescent or tomentose. Root stout, cylindrical. Stem solitary, branched. Basal and lower leaves pinnate; pinnae 2–3 pairs, ovate-oblong, 5–7(–20) × 3–5 cm, pinnatifid, abaxially silvery, densely white tomentose, margins serrate, apex mucronate or obtuse. Upper leaves reduced, sessile, 3-lobed on expanded sheaths. Peduncles 15–30 cm, pubescent; bracts 1–3, linear, caducous; rays 15–25(–35), unequal, 3–7(–10) cm, pubescent; bracteoles 5–8, linear; umbellules 20–25-flowered. Calyx teeth minute. Petals white, outer flowers of umbels radiant. Fruit obovoid, 5–8(–10) × 4–6 mm, glabrous when mature; vittae solitary in each furrow, 2 on commissure, clavate, extending to 2/3 length of mericarp. Seed face plane. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Aug–Sep. 2n = 22*.

This species is very variable, particularly in the size and dissection of the leaves and the shape of the leaflets.

Sparse forests, coniferous forest margins, scrub, alpine meadows, arid grassy slopes, streamsides; 1800–4500 m. W Sichuan, E and S Xizang, C and N Yunnan [Bhutan, N India, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim].