Shrubs or annual subshrubs 1-2 (-3) m tall, glabrous to sparsely stellate pubescent. Leaf blades usually somewhat wider than long, 5-15 cm wide, cut usually beyond the middle into 3, 5 or 7 lobes, the lobes lanceolate to ovate, acuminate, midvein on lower surface with a basal gland, stipules 1-5 cm long. Flowers solitary or in sympodial inflorescences, pedicels 1-4 cm long, with 3 subterminal, fringed nectaries; involucral bracts ovate, usually 40-50 (-65) mm long, lacerate, the teeth 5-17, acuminate from the base and separated by rounded sinuses; calyx usually truncate, 0.7-1 cm long; petals usually yellow with a basal maroon spot, fading pinkish purple, 5-8 cm long. Capsules 3-celled, narrowly ovoid, tapering to an acute tip, (2.5-) 3-5 cm long, pitted black punctate. Seeds several per cell, distinct or connate, lint copious, white.

Abortifacient, astringent, antifungal, contraceptive, diuretic, emmenagogue, emollient, hemostatic, lactagogue, oxytocic, pectoral, uterotonic and vasoconstrictor