Herbs, perennial or annual, sometimes shrublets. Leaves alternate, generally flat with entire margins, often tomentose. Capitula solitary or many in corymbs. Phyllaries papery, brown, yellow, pink, or white; stereome divided or undivided. Receptacle flat, epaleate or rarely paleaceous. Outer filiform florets yellow, or absent. Central florets bisexual, yellow. Anthers with flat appendages. Style branches truncate, with hairs apically. Achenes oblong, glabrous or with elongated or short clavate twin hairs. Pappus bristles capillary, barbellate or subplumose, connate or free.

About 600 species: Africa, Asia, Europe, Madagascar; three species (one endemic) in China.

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