Asteraceae

Aster is from the Greek word for star and refers to the appearance of the inflorescence. This is a widespread, chiefly herbaceous family, which is sometimes known by the old name or alternative name of Compositae. Leaves are alternate or opposite and they vary from simple to compound, with margins entire or variously dissected. The characteristic of the family is the inflorescence, which is a capitulum of florets; both ray and disc florets maybe present. Ray florets if present have a large petal-like corolla, the disc florets in the centre are tubular. The nature of the pappus varies, if present then it persists on the fruit which is an achene and forms the dispersal unit.