Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous with white latex; stems usually dichotomously
branched from the base, woody, glabrous; branches slender. Leaves filiform; radical
usually pinnatifid, glabrous or sparsely hairy, sessile. Inflorescence terminal or
subcorymbose. Heads narrowly cylindric; peduncle often long. Involucral bracts in two
or three rows; outer usually very small, ovate or obovate, usually with darker centre;
inner much longer than outer, linear or linear-lanceolate, sometimes with stout spinules
on the midrib. Achenes oblong or oblong-lanceolate, many ribbed,usually many toothed
below the long, slender beak. Pappus silvery white.
KEY TO THE SPECIES
1a. Cauline leaves filiform; inner involucral bracts with white, fine, membranous margins with no
spinules on the midrib
