Fls paired to solitary, occ. several per peduncle, bracted, regular or nearly so, not spurred; stamens us. 10; seeds 1 per carpel. Dehiscence by carpels curling upward, remaining attached at apex. Herbs or subshrubs with us. palmately lobed, stipulate lvs. Widely distributed genus of some 300 spp.

2n = 54–56

Annual, biennial or perennial herbs, sometimes with a caulorrhiza (woody rhizome or root stock), occasionally with small erect trunk, generally aromatic. Basal lvs often rosette-forming, long-petiolate, stipulate, palmately veined, lobed or compound, usually ovate to rounded or reniform. Cauline lvs similar to basal, with petiole becoming shorter, opposite near base, usually alternate above. Fls actinomorphic, single or paired, usually in cymose, bracteate, and pedunculate infls. Sepals 5, imbricate, spurless. Petals 5; claw prominent to almost 0. Fertile stamens usually 10, rarely 5 reduced to staminodes, free or nearly so, the outer antipetalous. Nectar glands 5. Ovary 5-lobed, usually with long style; ovules 2 per loculus. Fr. with long beak, the outer part of style separating into 5 long awns which generally remain attached to the mericarps, curving upwards but never twisted. Mericarps 1-seeded, sometimes releasing seed, lacking apical pits.