Composite or Daisy

Family

(Compositae or Asteraceae)
Flowers in the Composite Family are made up of inflorescences. Inflorescences are clusters of little flowers that seem like one big flower, but actually are many smaller flowers clustered together. These many little flowers produce many seeds, that come with bristles, prickles, or hairs. Many composite flowers have two types of flowers. One type of flower is the ray part, that is the yellow part of the dandelion. The seconde type of flower are small tube-like flowers that are clustered together making a disc shape. The ray flowers surround the disc-shaped flowers. The flowers do not have much of a stalk, meaning it connects directly to the stem. To help identify fowers in this family it is helpful to look at the bract shape. The bracts are underneath the flower, they whorl under the petals as if they are petals, but are similar to leaves . They are generally a brownish-green color. The leaves come in many different forms: entire, basal, alternate, opposite, and compound. Many people think that flowers of this family are the newest, and it is the largest flower family.
Arrow-leaved Aster Black-eyed Susan
Bachleor's Button Canada Hawkweed
Blue-stemmed Goldenrod
Chicory Daisy Fleabane Feverfew Field Sow Thistle Galinsoga
Heart-leaved Aster Late Purple Aster Mexican Sunflower
Northern Hawkweed Pink Yarrow
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