Herbs or subshrubs, perennial, dioecious. Leaves alternate, flat, with entire margins, usually tomentose on both surfaces. Capitula solitary, only a few together, or many in corymbs. Phyllaries papery or membranous, colored; stereome undivided. Receptacle flat, foveolate, epaleate. Disk florets functionally male or female; male florets white or purplish, tubular; female florets white or purplish, filiform. Anthers with flat appendages. Style branches truncate, with hairs dorsally and apically. Achenes oblong, with short clavate twin hairs. Pappus bristles capillary, barbellate, connate into a ring.

About 40 species: temperate and arctic/alpine regions, mainly in Asia, Europe, and North America, a few taxa in South America; one species in China.

(Authors: Chen Yousheng (陈又生); Randall J. Bayer)