Composite Family (Compositaceae) - Characteristics Of The Asteraceae, Horticultural Species, Agricultural Species Of Composites, Other Useful Species Of Composites
plants senecio families genera
The composite or aster family (Asteraceae) is one of the largest families of plants, containing about 20,000 species, distributed among more than 1,000 genera, and occurring widely on all continents, except Antarctica. This family is commonly regarded by modern botanists as the most advanced of the plant families, because of the complex, highly evolved structure of its multi-flowered, composite reproductive structures.
The members of the composite family display a remarkable range of growth forms, ranging from tiny, herbaceous annual plants, to vine-like lianas, and tall, tree-like perennials. For example, some species in the genus Senecio are small, annual plants, such as the widespread common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris). In contrast, the giant senecio (S. adnivalis) species found on a mountain in Uganda, is a perennial plant that grows as tall as 26 ft (8 m).
The most species-rich genera in the aster family are Senecio (about 1,500 species), Vernonia (900 species), Hieracium (800 species), and Eupatorium (600 species). Various members of the aster family are familiar species in natural habitats, while others are cultivated plants in gardens, and some are grown as foods. Some species in the aster family are considered to have negative values as weeds of agriculture or lawns.
Additional Topics
Members of the Asteraceae are most readily characterized by their unique floral structure. The flowers of members of this family are aggregated within a composite grouping known as an inflorescence, which in this family is known as a head. In the head, the small, individual flowers, called florets, are attached to a basal structure known as a receptacle. The latter is surrounded by one or more row…
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…
A few species of composites have been domesticated for agricultural purposes. The cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an annual plant native to Mexico and South America that is now widely grown for its seeds, which are eaten roasted or raw. Sunflower seeds contain about 40-50% oil, which can be extracted as a fine edible oil, the remaining cake being used as animal fodder. This sunflower g…
Several species of composites have minor uses in medicine. Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) is an annual European species that is collected and dried, and brewed into an aromatic tea that has a calming effect. The dried leaves and flowers of common wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) of Europe are used to make a tonic known as bitters, while the flower buds are used to flavor a liquor known as vermouth. T…
Some members of the aster family have become regarded as important weeds. In many cases, these are aesthetic weeds, because they occur abundantly in places where people, for whatever reason, do not want to see these plants. For example, the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), originally from Europe but now widely distributed in North America and elsewhere, is often regarded to be a weed of la…
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