Family Asteraceae
Characteristics
- members of this family, commonly known as daisies, are usually herbs or shrubs and may be annuals or perennials
- the flower heads are very complicated, with the flowers on a common base surrounded by one or more rows of bracts
- the bracts are in a variety of colours, often shades of yellow, orange and pinks, others are white
- pollination is by insects
- fruits are produced in large quantities and are attached to a parachute which makes dispersal by wind very effective
- most species grow readily from fresh seed
The family Asteraceae includes the following genera:
- Xerochrysum
- Helipterum
- Brachyscome
Flower structure of a typical daisy