Calea comprises 159 species characterized by striate phyllaries, pistillate ray florets, yellow corolla, and pappus elements as scales. The “Calea teucriifolia complex” is an informal group of 15 species. Molecular phylogenetic inference recognized the polyphyly of this group, but also supports the recognition of a monophyletic subgenus when considering a more restrict set of species. Thus, the aim of this study is to morphologically circumscribe the group at subgeneric rank and provide an updated nomenclatural and taxonomic synopsis. As defined here, C. subgen. Teucriifoliae comprises eight species (C. ferruginea, C. hymenolepis, C. hypericifolia, C. microphylla, C. ramosissima, C. senecioides, C. teucriifolia and C. villosa). The new subgenus is endemic to the Cerrado tropical savanna and is characterized by cylindrical involucres, reddish phyllaries, and pappus scales shorter than 1 mm. Seven lectotypes are designated and data on type specimens is clarified including localities, dates of collection, and collector. In addition, we record new state level occurrences for four species and provide a key for species identification.