Porphyrostemma

Erect hispid herbs. Stems without wings. Leaves alternate. Inflorescence a lax panicle or capitula borne in the axils of the upper leaves. Capitula heterogamous: outer florets female, very narrowly tubular; inner bisexual, also tubular with 5 triangular lobes; style-branches exserted, obtuse at apex. Phyllaries in many rows, shaggy or hispid outside. Receptacular scales 0. Outer pappus of one row of minute (scarcely visible) laciniate scales; inner of c. 9 whitish stiff setae.