It bears very little resemblance to the genus "Astilbe" after which it was named. The binomial name of Chinese astilbe is "Astilbe chinensis". Flowers of at least some "Astilbe" species have a strong and pleasant aroma. Some species, including "Astilbe rivularis", are used in traditional medicine. "Astilbe chinensis" is a herbaceous perennial growing in clumps. Chinese astilbe was originally described as "Hoteia chinensis" by C. J. Maximowiez in 1859. In Odaesan Mountain, there are "Astilbe chinensis", "Berberis koreana", lily of the valley and others.