The above statements about the size and distribution of the tribe apply to a broad definition of Heliantheae, which was followed throughout the 20th century.

[citation needed] Commercially important plants in the Heliantheae include sunflower and Jerusalem artichoke.

Many garden flowers are also in this group, such as Coreopsis, Cosmos, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, and Zinnia.

Species of Ambrosia (ragweed) produce large quantities of highly allergenic pollen.

This broad group been divided by some authors into smaller tribes: Bahieae, Chaenactideae, Coreopsideae, Helenieae, Heliantheae sensu stricto, Madieae, Millerieae, Perityleae, Polymnieae, and Tageteae.