Herbs, perennial or annual, or sometimes subshrubs. Leaves basal, rosulate, entire, pinnatifid to pinnatisect. Capitula solitary, terminal; involucre of 2, rarely 3 whorls of 4-6 involucral bracts; receptacles covered with hirsute hairs or bracts; involucel 1, 4-8-ribbed, apex obscurely dentate, or corona-like, or membranous and dentate. Calyx segmented and 8-24-setose or pinnate. Corolla 4- or 5-lobed, that of central flowers nearly actinomorphic, that of marginal flowers nearly 2-lipped; upper lip with 1 lobe, entire or 2-lobed; lower lip usually 3-lobed. Stamens 4, rarely 2 or 3, inserted at upper part of corolla, exserted. Ovary inferior, enveloped by involucels. Achenes smooth or ribbed. Seeds with a large, straight embryo and scanty endosperm.

About 25 species: from the Mediterranean to C Asia and tropical Africa; two species (one endemic) in China.