Dainty herbaceous perennials, with a rosette of dissected foliage, with in summer to autumn, small heads of thistle-like flowers, emerging from pattered buds. Followed by fluffy golden to yellow seed heads.
The dense flowerheads with many tiny flowers produce nectar and pollen that is used by bumblebees, honeybees, butterflies and moths, hoverflies, beetles and a whole lot more. At the end of flowering, the seeds are favoured by goldfinches, linnets and other seed-eating birds.