Herbs, annual or perennial. Leaves alternate, flat with entire margins, tomentose on both surfaces. Capitula solitary or only a few together. Phyllaries papery, brownish; stereome undivided. Receptacle flat, epaleate. Outer florets purple, filiform. Central florets bisexual, purple. Anthers with flat appendages. Style branches truncate, with hairs apically. Achenes oblong, with short clavate twin hairs. Pappus bristles capillary, scabrid, free.

About 80 species: cosmopolitan; six species in China.

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