Sunflowers: Family Asteraceae

A Very Large Family!

The Sunflower or Aster Family is the Asteraceae (in the recent past it was known as the Compositae family). With close to 23,000 species (according to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew), the Asteraceae is only matched in diversity by the Orchids, which have similar numbers of species.  

The Asteraceae are found in every part of the world.  However, they are much less frequent in the rainforests than in other parts of the globe (the opposite is true for orchids). Most Asters are herbacous, growing as small herbs.  A few like Brachylaena is a timber tree, but this is more of an oddity in this family.

Noteable representatives

Sunflowers, Cosmos, Coneflowers, Black-eyed Susans, Balsam Root, Povery Weed, Ragweed, Cocklebur, Marigold, Tarweed, Goldenrod, English Daisy, Flea Bane, Mares Tail, Yarrow, Pinneaple Weed, Sagebrush, Wormwood, Pussy toes, Cudweed, Cape Marigold, Gayflower, Burdock, Musk thistle, Artichoke, Milk Thistle, Hawkweed, Lettuce, Dandelion, Hawksbeard