Herbs, biennial or perennial. Leaves divided or undivided, margin spiny or spinulose. Capitula 1 to many, forming a racemose, paniculate, or corymbose synflorescence, or solitary, glabrous to cobwebby. Involucre spherical to cylindric. Phyllaries imbricate, leathery, ending in a spine. Stamen filaments glabrous; anther with ± lacerate basal appendages. Style branches short to long, apex acute. Achene obovoid to obconic, laterally compressed, with (2-)4 or 5 raised ribs, rugose, apex ± rimmed; rim sometimes denticulate. Pappus rarely absent, when present bristles in ca. 3 rows, outer ones much shorter than inner.

About 600 species: C, S, and SW Asia; 11 species (two endemic) in China.

(Authors: Shi Zhu (石铸 Shih Chu); Werner Greuter)