Herbs, annual; taproot slender. Stems arising directly from the root, erect, solid, not fistulose or disarticulating into ringlike segments, glandular. Leaves usually quickly deciduous, basal, rosulate; petiole present; blade linear-spatulate. Inflorescences terminal, cymose; branches dichotomous, not brittle or disarticulating into segments, round, glandular; bracts 3, positioned to side of node opposite involucre, connate basally, oblong to linear-acicular, long-awned, glandular. Peduncles erect, peglike. Involucres 1 per node, 5-ribbed, tubular, narrowly turbinate; teeth 5, awn-tipped. Flowers (4-)6 per involucre; perianth white to pink or rose, campanulate when open, cylindric when closed, pubescent abaxially; tepals 6, connate proximally, monomorphic, entire apically; stamens 9; filaments free, glabrous; anthers red to maroon, oblong. Achenes mostly included, light greenish brown to tan, not winged, 3-gonous, glabrous. Seeds: embryo curved. x = 14.
