Perennials usually with a stout rhizome with simple or branched stems. Leaves mostly basal, temate to triternate, leaflets cuneate, obovate to flabellate with 2 or 3 deep incisions; stem-leaves much reduced in size. Sepals 5, regular, ± spreading, deciduous, petaloid. Petals 5, alternating with the sepals, consisting of a fiat limb and a hollow spur. Stamens numerous, the inner ones usually reduced to staminodes. Carpels mostly 5(-6) becoming erect. Follicles with a short beak and numerous shiny dark seeds.