[2] It consists of several tribes, including Astereae, Calenduleae, Eupatorieae, Gnaphalieae, Heliantheae, Senecioneae and Tageteae.

Many contain stigmatic surfaces that are separated by two marginal bands and terminal sterile appendages with sweeping hairs.

[4] This subfamily is composed of 21 tribes that are broken into 3 supertribes: Senecionodae, Asterodae, and Helianthodae.

[5] Asterodae contains many economically important plants such as the chrysanthemums, common daisy, and the asters.

Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) is used as a culinary herb and Parthenium argentatum (guayule) is a rubber source.