The Asteraceae

Members of the Asteraceae, or sunflower family, have...

flowers arranged in heads
flowers with inferior ovaries

Since the head of flowers often looks like a single flower that is a composite of many flowers, this family has also been known as the Compositae.

Members of the Asteraceae. Illustration by Elizabeth Twining, 1849.

There are many unique traits of the Asteraceae. Understanding what various structures are and understanding the terms used to describe them is essential for identifying members of this family.