From the Latin cimex—a bug, and fugio—to run away; the plant once being used to ward off fleas.

Tall, erect perennial herbs. Leaves large, mostly or all basal, divided several times into 3. Flowers radially symmetric in long clusters. Sepals 4-5, whitish and petal-like, soon shed. Petals up to 8, rarely absent, generally deeply notched. Stamens numerous. Carpels 1-8. Fruit of 1 to many follicles.

Division or seed.

Long spikes of small white flowers. Leaves divided several times into 3.

About 10 northern temperate species.

Compton (1992).

Source: Spencer, R. (1997). Ranunculaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.