Shrubshrubs, glabrous except for axillary hairs. Leaves alternate. Capitula of numerous (>50–60) florets, solitary, disciform, heterogamous; involucral bracts in several series, horn-like, remaining erect; receptacle flat, with a central boss, epaleate, glabrous. Florets purple (inflorescence appearing pinkish white). Marginal florets female, 1–2-seriate; corollas filiform, regularly 3-or 4-lobed. Disc florets functionally male; corollas mostly 5-lobed; anthers tailed; styles essentially undivided (on a minute entire or 5-lobed stipe). Achenes quadrangular with several narrow ribs, glabrous except for a few basal hairs. Pappus of slightly flattened marginally ciliate bristles, straw-coloured; of marginal florets a sheath c. 3 mm long, sub-entire to long-toothed; of disc florets stiff, subplumose scales, often partly united towards base.
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