Oblate or subspherical,1~2 cm in diameter. Involucre consisting of numerous bracts, imbricated; bracts lanceolate or strip-shaped, greyish-yellow, 4~11 mm long; Sometimes pedicels remaining at the base of involucre,surfaces of the bracts and pedicel covered with white hairs.Ligulate florets 1 row, yellow, about 1 cm long, mostly rolled, often fallen, with 3 terminal teeth; tubular florets numerous, brownish-yellow, about 5 mm long, with 5 terminal teeth; numerous white pappi occurring at the apex of overy, 5~6 mm long. Small elliptical achene sometimes wisible. Texture light, easily broken and separated. Odour, slight; taste, slightly bitter.

Cough in common cold; cough with dyspnea and copious expectoration due to accumulation of phlegm; belching, nausea and vomiting with stuffiness sensation in the epigastric region.

1.Removing obstruction and dissolving phlegm

In treating stuffy chest, shortness of breath, etc. due to retention of phlegm, the drug can be used in combination with Radix Platycodi, Cortex Mori Radicis, Semen Arecae, etc. In treating cough and asthma with sputum due to febrile diseases, the drug is often used in combination with Herba Schizonepetae, Herba Asari, Radix Peucedani,etc.

2.Sending down adverse flow of Qi and arrest belching

In treating stuffy chest and belching due to deficiency of Qi in the spleen and stomach or adverse ascending of phlegm-dampness, the drug is often used in combination with Heamatitum, Rhizoma Pinelliae, etc.