Composite Family (Compositaceae)

Many species in the aster family have very attractive inflorescences, and some of these are commonly grown as ornamentals in parks and gardens.

Many of the ornamental species in the aster family are annuals, and are used as bedding plants, in annual gardens, and in self-seeding gardens. Some common examples include the cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), summer chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium), blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella), strawflower (Helichrysum bracteatum), iceplant or living-stone daisy (Mesembryanthemum criniflorum), marigolds (Tagetes patula, T. erecta, and T. tenuifolia), and zinnia (Zinnia elegans).

A few horticultural species are biennials, or species that can complete their life cycle in two years. Two examples are the daisy ( Bellis perennis) and ox-eye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum).

Many other horticultural species in the composite family are longer-lived, herbaceous perennials, and can be used in perennial gardens. Some common examples include various species of asters (Aster spp., such as New England aster, A. novae-angliae), black-eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia hirta), shasta daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum), hemp agrimony (Eupatorium purpureum), Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium and O. arabicum), yarrow (Achillea spp., such as A. filipendulina), yellow chamomile (Anthemis tinctoria), knapweed (Centaurea montana), blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata), and goldenrods (Solidago spp., such as Canada goldenrod, S. canadensis).

Wormwoods (Artemisia spp.) have rather unattractive, greenish inflorescences, but are commonly cultivated for their attractive foliage.