Erect, perennial, rhizomatous herbs. Leaves interruptedly imparipinnate, stipulate. Inflorescence a narrow, spikelike raceme, usually terminal. Flowers bisexual. Hypanthium turbinate, closed at mouth and with hooked spines on upper margin. Epicalyx absent. Sepals 5, imbricate, persistent, closing over the fruit after anthesis. Petals 5, yellow, rarely white, larger than sepals. Stamens 5-15 (-20). Carpels usually 2, sessile, free inside hypanthium. Ovules pendulous. Styles terminal, exserted, stigma capitate. Achene usually 1 per flower enclosed in hardened hypanthium with hooked prickles. Fruit a pometum. Seed pendulous with membranous testa.

A genus of 10-15 species, distributed in north temperate zone and montane regions in tropics; represented in Pakistan by 1 species.