Herbs, biennial [or annual to perennial], with a taproot. Leaves undivided [to bipinnatisect], margin spinulose [to spiny toothed]. Outer bracts similar to leaves; inner bracts more divided. Phyllaries entire; inner phyllaries longer than florets, with a scarious and colored distal portion spreading when dry. Receptacle flat, areolate, with linear scales and bristles basally concrescent in a honeycomb pattern to envelop achenes. Florets bisexual. Achene oblong, terete, costate, apex truncate. Pappus bristles plumose, all of one type, forming a ring, united groupwise at base.

About 28 species: N Africa, Asia, Europe, Macaronesia (Canary Islands); one species in China.