Chamaesium paradoxum H. Wolff

This species has reputed medicinal value.

Plants 5–35 cm, biennial. Root long-conic, 3–9 cm. Basal and lower petioles 4–7 cm, sheaths long and broad; blade oblong, 3–5 × 1.5–3 cm; pinnae 4–6 pairs, remote; ultimate segments ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 7–15 × 5–8 mm, entire or shallowly 2–3-toothed, base rounded-truncate or slightly cordate. Leaves reduced upwards, ultimate segments becoming narrow. Umbels 3–5 cm across; bracts 3–5, linear, entire or pinnate and leaf-like; rays 6–12(–17), 0.5–10 cm, very unequal; bracteoles 3–5, linear, 2–4 mm, entire, usually shorter than flowers; pedicels numerous, 2–5 mm. Calyx teeth minute, triangular-ovate, often hidden under the spreading stylopodium. Petals obovate, white or greenish-yellow, ca. 1.5 × 1 mm. Fruit oblong-ellipsoid, 1.8–2.9 × 1–1.5 mm; ribs prominent, sometimes obscure. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.

Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang, NW Yunnan.

Damp grassy slopes; 3200–4800 m.