Asteraceae
This family is still known commonly by its older name
- Compositae. It is mainly herbaceous with a few shrubs and
trees. The flowers have a unique arrangement which is not
found in other families. What we commonly call the flower is
really an inflorescence of many flowers. The petals are
fused to form a regular corolla in so-called disc
florets or an irregular corolla with a strap-like
outgrowth in the ray
florets. There may be only one kind of floret
present - rays in the dandelion or disc in a pompom-mum - or
both types - sunflower and shasta daisy. This is a very
large family with many indoor and outdoors ornamentals and a
few food crops.
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