| The pappus in this genus is very short, and it is scaly rather than feathery. |
| Achenes obovate, flattened, wingless, and without any pappus. |
| Further, the hairs which constitute the pappus may be simple or feathered. |
| The structure of the pappus is best observed in the ripe fruit. |
| The pappus consists of a tuft of simple hairs, most of which are longer than the achene. |
| Coode and Richardson pointed out a relationship between Centranthus and Valeriana because both genera share a plumose pappus. |
