Erect, glabrous, aromatic, biennial. Stems ± solid, striate, up to 1 m high. Basal lvs 2-(3)-ternate or pinnate, petiolate; ultimate segments ovate-cuneate, lobed and crenate, crispate in cvs, c. 10-30 mm long, sessile or petiolulate; stem lvs reduced toward apex with narrow-oblanceolate, often entire or lobed, but not serrate, segments. Umbels 2-10 cm diam.; rays 7-20; bracts 1-4, entire or 3-lobed; bracteoles 5-12, linear to spathulate, entire or rarely 2-3-lobed. Fls numerous, greenish yellow, c. 2 mm diam. Fr. broadly ovoid, 2.5-3 mm long, grey-brown with lighter ribs.