Leaves alternate opposite or rosulate, exstipulate.
Capitulasolitary or in corymbose, less frequently racemose, inflorescences. Style solitary, with 2 stigmatic branches. The capitula vary greatly in size, but attempts to give measurements of the diameter or length are often subject to uncertainty owing to the tendency of lugules to be variously developed, to curl up in live state or to be distorted in pressing. Examples of a small, medium and large capitulum are those of Filago, Taraxacum and Heliantus respectively. The length of the involucre is measured from the base of the capitulum.