Asteraceae – Aster Family Flashcards
What are some common plants in the Asteraceae family?
Common yarrow
White snakeroot
Common ragweed
Chrysanthemum
Canada thistle
Tickseed
Purple coneflower
Joe Pye weed
Bigleaf goldenray
Goldenrod
Aster
Common dandelion
What is the Genus for Common yarrow?
Achillea
What is the Genus for White Snakeroot?
Ageratina
What is the Genus for Common Ragweed?
Ambrosia
What is the Genus for Chrysanthemum?
Chrysanthemum
What is the Genus for Canada Thistle?
Cirsium
What is the Genus for Tickseed?
Coreopsis
What is the Genus for Purple Coneflower?
Echinacea
What is the Genus for Joe Pye Weed?
Eutrochium
What is the Genus for Bigleaf Goldenray?
Ligularia
What is the Genus for Goldenrod?
Solidago
What is the Genus for Aster?
Symphyotrichum
What is the Genus for Common Dandelion?
Taraxacum
What are some characteristics of the Asteraceae Family?
-Largest plant family on Earth!
-Flowers: contains many individual flowers fused together into a head. Sepals are reduced to a cluster of scales of hairs, the “pappus.” A ring of green bracts surrounding the head, reminiscent of sepals, is known as the “involucre.” 5 petals are fused into a tube with the 5 stamens partially attached. Many daisies have 2 types of flowers: ray, which have an asymmetrical petal tube opening to form a lip on one side, and disc, which have a symmetrical petal tube.
-Fruit: small flowers=small fruit. Fertile florets will produce one, dry fruit, known as a “cypsela.” In many sp., the pappus remains intact to aid in dispersal by attaching to an animal or acting as a wing.
-Leaves: large variety, often arranged alternately but can be opposite or whorled. Herbaceous genera typically have a rosette of leaves at the base.
