Annual or biennial, but mostly perennial herbs, often tufted, sometimes rhizomatous, commonly with basal rosette lvs differing from the alternate cauline lvs. Fls solitary or in spikes, racemes or loose panicles, usually 5-merous. Calyx tube ovoid to globose; lobes flat or folded, sometimes with appendages at sinus. Corolla usually campanulate, sometimes tubular or rotate, mostly blue, toothed or lobed but not split near base. Filaments usually dilated towards base; anthers free. Ovary 3-5-celled; style clavate, without disc at base; stigmas 3-5, filiform, often blue or mauve. Capsule ovoid to turbinate, dehiscing by lateral or basal pores or valves, ± ribbed, pendent or erect.