Plants 5–30 cm high. Roots fibrous, sometimes with long creeping rhizomes. Stem slender, unbranched. Basal leaves several; petiole 3–22 cm; blade orbicular or cordate-rounded, (1–) 1.5–3(–3.5) × 2–4(–7) cm, palmately deeply 3-parted, serrulate; central segment broadly obovate, base cuneate, apex subtruncate, shallowly 3-lobed; lateral segments rhombic-obovate, 2-lobed. Inflorescence terminal; bracts 2–3, opposite, foliaceous, sessile, 1–1.5 × 0.5–1 cm, 3-parted, segments obovate or lanceolate; rays 3–4, subequal, 0.5–2.5 cm; bracteoles ca. 10, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate; umbellules 10–15-flowered. Staminate flowers 9–14 per umbellule; pedicels ca. 2 mm; petals white or pinkish, obovate, base tapering, apex deeply notched. Fertile flowers 1–3 per umbellule, sessile; calyx teeth broadly ovate or obovate, ca. 0.5 mm; styles about 1.5 times as long as petals, recurved. Fruit ovoid-globose, 2–2.5 × 2.5–3 mm, covered with scales and tubercles, but never spinulose; vittae obscure. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.

This species has reputed medicinal value.

Forests, mountain slopes, grassy places on stream banks; 2600–3800 m. Guizhou, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan.