Perennial tufted scapose herbs with narrow rosulate leaves and a subterraneous, branched rootstock. Flowers in heads subtended by dry bracts, bases of the outer ones coalescent into a tubular sheath. Calyx obconical, 5-lobed, lobes mucronate. Petals united at the base. Stamens inserted on top of the tube. Style ± free, stigma cylindric. Fruit circumscissile at the base.