Hubbry Logo
AsteraceaeAsteraceaeMain
Open search
Asteraceae
Community hub
Asteraceae
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Asteraceae
Asteraceae
Asteraceae
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Asteraceae
Temporal range: 76–0 Ma Campanian[1]–recent
Twelve species of Asteraceae from the subfamilies Asteroideae, Carduoideae, and Cichorioideae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Bercht. & J.Presl[2]
Type genus
Aster
Subfamilies[3]
Diversity[4]
1,911 genera
Synonyms[5]
List
  • Compositae Giseke
  • Acarnaceae Link
  • Ambrosiaceae Bercht. & J.Presl
  • Anthemidaceae Bercht. & J.Presl
  • Aposeridaceae Raf.
  • Arctotidaceae Bercht. & J.Presl
  • Artemisiaceae Martinov
  • Athanasiaceae Martinov
  • Calendulaceae Bercht. & J.Presl
  • Carduaceae Bercht. & J.Presl
  • Cassiniaceae Sch.Bip.
  • Cichoriaceae Juss.
  • Coreopsidaceae Link
  • Cynaraceae Spenn.
  • Echinopaceae Bercht. & J.Presl
  • Eupatoriaceae Bercht. & J.Presl
  • Helichrysaceae Link
  • Inulaceae Bercht. & J.Presl
  • Lactucaceae Drude
  • Mutisiaceae Burnett
  • Partheniaceae Link
  • Perdiciaceae Link
  • Senecionaceae Bercht. & J.Presl
  • Vernoniaceae Burmeist.

Asteraceae (/ˌæstəˈreɪsi.iː, -ˌaɪ/ ⓘ) is a large family of flowering plants that consists of over 32,000 known species in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. The number of species in Asteraceae is rivaled only by the Orchidaceae, and which is the larger family is unclear as the quantity of extant species in each family is unknown. The Asteraceae were first described in the year 1740 and given the original name Compositae.[6] The family is commonly known as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family.

Most species of Asteraceae are herbaceous plants, and may be annual, biennial, or perennial, but there are also shrubs, vines, and trees. The family has a widespread distribution, from subpolar to tropical regions, in a wide variety of habitats. Most occur in hot desert and cold or hot semi-desert climates, and they are found on every continent but Antarctica. Their common primary characteristic is compound flower heads, technically known as capitula, consisting of sometimes hundreds of tiny individual florets enclosed by a whorl of protective involucral bracts.

The oldest known fossils are pollen grains from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian to Maastrichtian) of Antarctica, dated to c. 76–66 million years ago (mya). It is estimated that the crown group of Asteraceae evolved at least 85.9 mya (Late Cretaceous, Santonian) with a stem node age of 88–89 mya (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian).

Asteraceae is an economically important family, providing food staples, garden plants, and herbal medicines. Species outside of their native ranges can become weedy or invasive.

Description

[edit]

Members of the Asteraceae are mostly herbaceous plants, but some shrubs, vines, and trees (such as Lachanodes arborea) do exist. Asteraceae species are generally easy to distinguish from other plants because of their unique inflorescence and other shared characteristics, such as the joined anthers of the stamens.[7] Nonetheless, determining genera and species of some groups, such as Hieracium, is notoriously difficult (see "damned yellow composite" for example).[8]

Roots

[edit]

Members of the family Asteraceae generally produce taproots, but sometimes they possess fibrous root systems. Some species have underground stems in the form of caudices or rhizomes. These can be fleshy or woody, depending on the species.[6]

Stems

[edit]

The stems are herbaceous, aerial, branched, and cylindrical with glandular hairs, usually erect, but can be prostrate to ascending. The stems can contain secretory canals with resin,[6] or latex, which is particularly common among the Cichorioideae.[9]

Leaves

[edit]

Leaves can be alternate, opposite, or whorled. They may be simple, but are often deeply lobed or otherwise incised, often conduplicate or revolute. The margins also can be entire or toothed. Resin[6] or latex[9] can also be present in the leaves.

Inflorescences

[edit]

Nearly all Asteraceae bear their flowers in dense flower heads called capitula. They are surrounded by involucral bracts, and when viewed from a distance, each capitulum may appear to be a single flower. Enlarged outer (peripheral) flowers in the capitulum may resemble petals, and the involucral bracts may look like a calyx.[10] Notable exceptions include Hecastocleis shockleyi (the only species in the subfamily Hecastocleidoideae)[11] and the species of the genus Corymbium (the only genus in the subfamily Corymbioideae),[12] which have one-flowered bisexual capitulas, Gundelia with one-flowered unisexual capitulas,[13] and Gymnarrhena micrantha with one-flowered female capitulas and few flowered male capitulas.[14]

Floral heads

[edit]
A typical Asteraceae flower head showing the (five) individual ray florets and the (approximately 16) disk florets of a specimen of Bidens torta

In plants of the Asteraceae, what appears to be a single "daisy"-type flower is actually a composite of several much smaller flowers, known as the capitulum or head. By visually presenting as a single flower, the capitulum attracts pollinators in the same manner that other "showy" flowering plants in numerous other, older plant families have evolved to attract pollinators. The previous name for the family, Compositae, reflects the fact that what appears to be a single floral entity is in fact a composite of much smaller flowers.[15]

The "petals" or "sunrays" in an "asteraceous" head are in fact individual strap-shaped[16] flowers called ray flowers or ray florets, and the "sun disk" is made up of smaller, radially symmetric, individual flowers called disc flowers or disc florets. The word aster means "star" in Greek, referring to the appearance of most family members as a "celestial body with rays". The capitulum, which often appears to be a single flower, is often referred to as a head.[17] In some species, the entire head is able to pivot its floral stem in the course of the day to track the sun (like a "smart" solar panel), thus maximizing the reflectivity of the entire floral unit and further attracting flying pollinators.[15]

Nearest to the flower stem lie a series of small, usually green, scale-like bracts. These are known as phyllaries; collectively, they form the involucre, which serves to protect the immature head of florets during its development.[15]: 29  The individual florets are arranged atop a dome-like structure called the receptacle.[15]

The individual florets in a head consist, developmentally, of five fused petals (rarely four); instead of sepals, they have threadlike, hairy, or bristly structures,[17] known collectively as a pappus (plural pappi). The pappus surrounds the ovary and can, when mature and attached to a seed, adhere to animal fur or be carried by air currents, aiding in seed dispersal. The whitish, fluffy head of a dandelion, commonly blown on by children, consists of numerous seeds resting on the receptacle, each seed attached to its pappus. The pappi provide a parachute-like structure to help the seed travel from its point of origin to a more hospitable site.[15]

refer to caption
Schemes and floral diagrams of the different floret types of the Asteraceae: Leucanthemum vulgare: a = disc flower; b = ray flower.
1 – style with stigmas
2 – anthers
3 – corolla (petals); typically, in the ray flower, three petals are joined to form a strap (in other species, five petals can fuse to form a ligule)
4 – reduced calyx
4' – Carduus acanthoides (left shaded circle): pappus: in many Asteraceae species, the calyx develops as a fibrous or bristly pappus
5 – inferior ovary: fused ovary consisting of two carpels, containing one abaxial ovule (basal placentation).

A ray flower is a two - or three-lobed, strap-shaped, individual flower, found in the head of most members of the Asteraceae.[15][16] The corolla of the ray flower may have two tiny, vestigial teeth, opposite to the three-lobed strap, or tongue, indicating its evolution by fusion from an ancestral, five-part corolla. In some species, the 3:2 arrangement is reversed, with two lobes, and zero or three tiny teeth visible opposite the tongue.

A ligulate flower is a five-lobed, strap-shaped, individual flower found in the heads of certain other asteraceous species.[15] A ligule is the strap-shaped tongue of the corolla of either a ray flower or of a ligulate flower.[clarification needed][example needed][16] A disk flower (or disc flower) is a radially symmetric individual flower in the head, which is ringed by the ray flowers when both are present.[15][16] In some species, ray flowers may be arranged around the disc in irregular symmetry, or with a weakly bilaterally symmetric arrangement.[15]

Variations

[edit]

When an Asteraceae flower head has only disc flowers that are bisexual, it is a discoid head.[18] A subtype of discoid heads are radiant heads, which have larger, dilated, and often bilateral outer florets.[18]

Disciform heads include disk florets, which may be male or bisexual, and surrounding florets that may be naked or tubular and female.[18]

A radiate head has disc florets surrounded by an outer portion of ray florets known as a lamina.[18]

A ligulate head has only ligulate florets.[18]

Some other species produce two different head types: staminate (all-male), or pistillate (all-female). In a few unusual species, the "head" will consist of one single disc flower; alternatively, a few species will produce both single-flowered female heads, along with multi-flowered male heads, in their "pollination strategy".[15]

Floral structures

[edit]
Flower diagram of Carduus (Carduoideae) shows (outermost to innermost): subtending bract and stem axis; calyx forming a pappus; fused corolla; stamens fused to corolla; gynoecium with two carpels and one locule.
Discoid flowerheads of Delairea odorata

The distinguishing characteristic of Asteraceae is their inflorescence, a type of specialised, composite flower head or pseudanthium, technically called a calathium or capitulum,[19][20] that may look superficially like a single flower. The capitulum is a contracted raceme composed of numerous individual sessile flowers, called florets, all sharing the same receptacle.[citation needed]

A set of bracts forms an involucre surrounding the base of the capitulum. These are called "phyllaries", or "involucral bracts". They may simulate the sepals of the pseudanthium. These are mostly herbaceous but can also be brightly coloured (e.g. Helichrysum) or have a scarious (dry and membranous) texture. The phyllaries can be free or fused, and arranged in one to many rows, overlapping like the tiles of a roof (imbricate) or not (this variation is important in identification of tribes and genera).[citation needed]

Each floret may be subtended by a bract, called a "palea" or "receptacular bract". These bracts are often called "chaff". The presence or absence of these bracts, their distribution on the receptacle, and their size and shape are all important diagnostic characteristics for genera and tribes.[citation needed]

The florets have five petals fused at the base to form a corolla tube, and they may be either actinomorphic or zygomorphic. Disc florets are usually actinomorphic, with five petal lips on the rim of the corolla tube. The petal lips may be either very short or long, in which case they form deeply lobed petals. The latter is the only kind of floret in the Carduoideae, while the first kind is more widespread. Ray florets are always highly zygomorphic and are characterised by the presence of a ligule, a strap-shaped structure on the edge of the corolla tube consisting of fused petals. In the Asteroideae and other minor subfamilies, these are usually borne only on florets at the circumference of the capitulum and have a 3+2 scheme - above the fused corolla tube, three very long fused petals form the ligule, with the other two petals being inconspicuously small. The Cichorioideae has only ray florets, with a 5+0 scheme - all five petals form the ligule. A 4+1 scheme is found in the Barnadesioideae. The tip of the ligule is often divided into teeth, each one representing a petal. Some marginal florets may have no petals at all (filiform floret).[citation needed]

The calyx of the florets may be absent, but when present is always modified into a pappus of two or more teeth, scales or bristles, and this is often involved in the dispersion of the seeds. As with the bracts, the nature of the pappus is an important diagnostic feature.[citation needed]

There are usually four or five stamens.[17] The filaments are fused to the corolla, while the anthers are generally connate (syngenesious anthers), thus forming a sort of tube around the style (theca). They commonly have basal and/or apical appendages. Pollen is released inside the tube and is collected around the growing style, and then, as the style elongates, is pushed out of the tube (nüdelspritze).[citation needed]

The pistil consists of two connate carpels. The style has two lobes. Stigmatic tissue may be located in the interior surface or form two lateral lines. The ovary is inferior and has only one ovule, with basal placentation.

Fruits and seeds

[edit]

In members of the Asteraceae, the fruit is achene-like, and is called a cypsela (plural cypselae). Although there are two fused carpels, there is only one locule, and only one seed per fruit is formed.[17] It may sometimes be winged or spiny because the pappus, which is derived from calyx tissue, often remains on the fruit (for example, in dandelion). In some species, however, the pappus falls off (for example, in Helianthus). Cypsela morphology is often used to help determine plant relationships at the genus and species level.[21] The mature seeds usually have little or no endosperm.[7]

Pollen

[edit]

The pollen of composites is typically echinolophate, a morphological term meaning "with elaborate systems of ridges and spines dispersed around and between the apertures."[22]

Metabolites

[edit]

In Asteraceae, the energy store is generally in the form of inulin rather than starch. They produce iso/chlorogenic acid, sesquiterpene lactones, pentacyclic triterpene alcohols, various alkaloids, acetylenes (cyclic, aromatic, with vinyl end groups), tannins. They have terpenoid essential oils that never contain iridoids.[23]

Asteraceae produce secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids and terpenoids. Some of these molecules can inhibit protozoan parasites such as Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, Leishmania and parasitic intestinal worms, and thus have potential in medicine.[24]

Taxonomy

[edit]

History

[edit]

Compositae, the original name for Asteraceae, were first described in 1740 by Dutch botanist Adriaan van Royen.[25]: 117–118  Traditionally, two subfamilies were recognised: Asteroideae (or Tubuliflorae) and Cichorioideae (or Liguliflorae).[26]: 242  The latter has been shown to be extensively paraphyletic, and has now been divided into 12 subfamilies, but the former still stands.[27][needs update] The study of this family is known as synantherology.

Phylogeny

[edit]
See also: List of Asteraceae genera

The phylogenetic tree of subfamilies presented below is based on Panero & Funk (2002)[27] updated in 2014,[28] and now also includes the monotypic Famatinanthoideae.[28][29][30][needs update] The diamond (♦) denotes a very poorly supported node (<50% bootstrap support), the dot (•) a poorly supported node (<80%).[23]

Barnadesioideae: 9 genera, 93 species. South America, mainly the Andes.

Famatinanthoideae: South America, 1 genus, 1 species Famatinanthus decussatus.

Mutisioideae: 58 genera, 750 species. Absent from Europe, mostly in South America.

Stifftioideae: 10 genera. South America.

♦

Wunderlichioideae: 8 genera, 24 species. Mostly in Venezuela and Guyana.

Gochnatioideae: 4 or 5 genera, 90 species. Latin America and southern United States.

Hecastocleidoideae: Only Hecastocleis shockleyi. Southwestern United States.

Carduoideae: 83 genera, 2,500 species. Worldwide.

Pertyoideae: 5 or 6 genera, 70 species. Asia.

Gymnarrhenoideae: Two genera/species, Gymnarrhena micrantha (Northern Africa, Middle East) and Cavea tanguensis (Eastern Himalayas).

•

Cichorioideae: 224 genera, 3,200 species. Worldwide.

Corymbioideae: Only the genus Corymbium, with 9 species. Cape provinces, South Africa.

•

Asteroideae: 1,130 genera and 16,200 species. Worldwide.

The family includes over 32,000 currently accepted species, in over 1,900 genera (list) in 13 subfamilies.[4][needs update] The number of species in the family Asteraceae is rivaled only by Orchidaceae.[23][31] Which is the larger family is unclear, because of the uncertainty about how many extant species each family includes.[citation needed] The four subfamilies Asteroideae, Cichorioideae, Carduoideae and Mutisioideae contain 99% of the species diversity of the whole family (approximately 70%, 14%, 11% and 3% respectively).[citation needed]

Because of the morphological complexity exhibited by this family, agreeing on generic circumscriptions has often been difficult for taxonomists. As a result, several of these genera have required multiple revisions.[7]

Paleontology and evolutionary processes

[edit]

The oldest known fossils of members of Asteraceae are pollen grains from the Late Cretaceous of Antarctica, dated to ~76–66 mya (Campanian to Maastrichtian) and assigned to the extant genus Dasyphyllum. Barreda, et al. (2015) estimated that the crown group of Asteraceae evolved at least 85.9 mya (Late Cretaceous, Santonian) with a stem node age of 88–89 mya (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian).[1]

It is not known whether the precise cause of their great success was the development of the highly specialised capitulum, their ability to store energy as fructans (mainly inulin), which is an advantage in relatively dry zones, or some combination of these and possibly other factors.[23] Heterocarpy, or the ability to produce different fruit morphs, has evolved and is common in Asteraceae. It allows seeds to be dispersed over varying distances, and each is adapted to different environments, increasing chances of survival.[32]

Etymology and pronunciation

[edit]

The original name Compositae is still valid under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants.[33] It refers to the "composite" nature of the capitula, which consist of a few or many individual flowers.[citation needed]

The alternative (as it came later) name Asteraceae (English: /ˌæstəˈreɪsi, -siˌaɪ, -siˌeɪ, -siˌiː/) comes to international scientific vocabulary from Neo-Latin, from Aster, the type genus, + -aceae,[34] a standardized suffix for plant family names in modern taxonomy. This genus name comes from the Classical Latin word aster, "star", which came from Ancient Greek ἀστήρ (astḗr), "star".[34] It refers to the star-like form of the inflorescence.[citation needed]

The vernacular name daisy, widely applied to members of this family, is derived from the Old English name of the daisy (Bellis perennis): dæġes ēaġe, meaning "day's eye". This is because the petals open at dawn and close at dusk.[35]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

Asteraceae species have a widespread distribution, from subpolar to tropical regions in a wide variety of habitats. Most occur in hot desert and cold or hot semi-desert climates, and they are found on every continent but Antarctica. They are especially numerous in tropical and subtropical regions (notably Central America, eastern Brazil, the Mediterranean, the Levant, southern Africa, central Asia, and southwestern China).[31] The largest proportion of the species occur in the arid and semi-arid regions of subtropical and lower temperate latitudes.[6] The Asteraceae family comprises 10% of all flowering plant species.[8]

Ecology

[edit]
Anemochory in Carlina
Epizoochory in Bidens tripartita

Asteraceae are especially common in open and dry environments.[7] Many members of Asteraceae are pollinated by insects, which explains their value in attracting beneficial insects, but anemophily is also present (e.g. Ambrosia, Artemisia). There are many apomictic species in the family.

Seeds are ordinarily dispersed intact with the fruiting body, the cypsela. Anemochory (wind dispersal) is common, assisted by a hairy pappus. Epizoochory is another common method, in which the dispersal unit, a single cypsela (e.g. Bidens) or entire capitulum (e.g. Arctium) has hooks, spines or some structure to attach to the fur or plumage (or even clothes, as in the photo) of an animal just to fall off later far from its mother plant.

Some members of Asteraceae are economically important as weeds. Notable in the United States are Senecio jacobaea (ragwort),[36] Senecio vulgaris (groundsel),[37] and Taraxacum (dandelion).[38] Some are invasive species in particular regions, often having been introduced by human agency. Examples include various tumbleweeds, Bidens, ragweeds, thistles, and dandelion.[39] Dandelion was introduced into North America by European settlers who used the young leaves as a salad green.[40] A number of species are toxic to grazing animals.[17]

Uses

[edit]
The twining succulent Senecio angulatus is used for its cut flowers,[41] despite being an invasive weed in some places, such as Victoria, Australia and New Zealand.[42]

Asteraceae is an economically important family, providing products such as cooking oils, leaf vegetables like lettuce, sunflower seeds, artichokes, sweetening agents, coffee substitutes and herbal teas. Several genera are of horticultural importance, including pot marigold (Calendula officinalis), Echinacea (coneflowers), various daisies, fleabane, chrysanthemums, dahlias, zinnias, and heleniums. Asteraceae are important in herbal medicine, including Grindelia, yarrow, and many others.[43]

Commercially important plants in Asteraceae include the food crops Lactuca sativa (lettuce), Cichorium (chicory), Cynara scolymus (globe artichoke), Helianthus annuus (sunflower), Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacón), Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) and Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke).[44]

Plants are used as herbs and in herbal teas and other beverages. Chamomile, for example, comes from two different species: the annual Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) and the perennial Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile). Calendula (known as pot marigold) is grown commercially for herbal teas and potpourri. Echinacea is used as a medicinal tea. The wormwood genus Artemisia includes absinthe (A. absinthium) and tarragon (A. dracunculus). Winter tarragon (Tagetes lucida), is commonly grown and used as a tarragon substitute in climates where tarragon will not survive.[45]

Many members of the family are grown as ornamental plants for their flowers, and some are important ornamental crops for the cut flower industry. Some examples are Chrysanthemum, Gerbera, Calendula, Dendranthema, Argyranthemum, Dahlia, Tagetes, Zinnia, and many others.[46]

Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides is used as an ornamental plant for its bright orange flowers.[47]

Many species of this family possess medicinal properties and are used as traditional antiparasitic medicine.[24]

Members of the family are also commonly featured in medical and phytochemical journals because the sesquiterpene lactone compounds contained within them are an important cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Allergy to these compounds is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis in florists in the US.[48] Pollen from ragweed Ambrosia is among the main causes of so-called hay fever in the United States.[49]

Asteraceae are also used for some industrial purposes. French Marigold (Tagetes patula) is common in commercial poultry feeds, and its oil is extracted for uses in cola and the cigarette industry. The genera Chrysanthemum, Pulicaria, Tagetes, and Tanacetum contain species with useful insecticidal properties. Parthenium argentatum (guayule) is a source of hypoallergenic latex.[46]

Several members of the family are copious nectar producers[46] and are useful for evaluating pollinator populations during their bloom.[citation needed] Centaurea (knapweed), Helianthus annuus (domestic sunflower), and some species of Solidago (goldenrod) are major "honey plants" for beekeepers. Solidago produces relatively high protein pollen, which helps honey bees over winter.[50]

References

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Asteraceae

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Asteraceae, also known as the Compositae or sunflower family, is one of the largest and most diverse families of flowering within the order , comprising approximately 25,000 species across nearly 1,700 genera. This cosmopolitan family is characterized by its unique composite inflorescences, termed capitula or flower heads, which aggregate numerous small florets—typically a combination of outer ray florets (ligulate and often brightly colored) and inner disc florets (tubular and fertile)—surrounded by an involucre of bracts, along with an and cypsela fruits topped by a pappus for wind dispersal. in this family exhibit varied growth forms, including annual and perennial herbs, shrubs, subshrubs, vines, lianas, and occasionally trees, with leaves that are alternate, opposite, or basal, often simple and serrate. Asteraceae species thrive in an extensive array of habitats, from and alpine regions to deserts, savannas, forests, and urban areas, achieving near-global distribution except in , though they are particularly abundant in subtropical and temperate zones. The family's evolutionary success stems from adaptations like efficient via diverse florets attracting a wide range of , and effective mechanisms that facilitate rapid colonization. Subfamilies such as Asteroideae (the largest, with over 17,000 ) and Cichorioideae highlight this diversity, encompassing everything from hardy perennials to succulent rosette . Economically, Asteraceae ranks among the most significant plant families, contributing key agricultural crops, ornamentals, and medicinal resources. Food plants include leafy vegetables like (Lactuca sativa) and (), tuberous crops such as (Helianthus tuberosus), and oilseeds from sunflowers (Helianthus annuus), which supply a major global source of edible oil. Ornamental species, including (Chrysanthemum spp.), (Dahlia spp.), and (Zinnia spp.), dominate , while medicinal uses feature anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial extracts from genera like Artemisia (for antimalarial ) and (dandelion for digestive aids). However, the family also includes problematic weeds and invasives, such as (Ambrosia spp.), which cause allergies, and thistles ( spp.), impacting agriculture and ecosystems.

Description

Vegetative morphology

The Asteraceae family encompasses a wide range of growth forms, predominantly annual or perennial herbs, but also including shrubs, subshrubs, vines, lianas, and rarely trees. The majority of species are herbaceous, reflecting adaptations to diverse terrestrial habitats from arid to temperate zones. Woody forms, such as shrubs and small trees, occur in genera like Olearia and Cassinia in Australia, while arborescent species like Sonchus brassicifolius (syn. Dendroseris litoralis), a critically endangered species endemic to the Juan Fernández Islands, can reach up to 6 meters in height with a stout trunk supporting rosette crowns. Vining habits are exemplified by scrambling or twining species such as Mikania, which can exceed 15 meters in length. Root systems in Asteraceae vary by habit but are typically taproots in herbaceous species, providing anchorage and access to deeper soil resources, as seen in Helianthus annuus (common sunflower) with its prominent taproot supplemented by branching fibrous roots. Fibrous root systems predominate in some perennials and facilitate nutrient uptake in surface soils, such as in Senecio vulgaris (common groundsel). Arbuscular mycorrhizal associations are common across the family, enhancing phosphorus acquisition and stress tolerance in many species. Stems in Asteraceae are often herbaceous and branched, though woody stems occur in shrubby or arborescent taxa, featuring terete, square, or winged shapes with a large central medulla of thin-walled cells. Latex canals, containing milky , are present in stems of certain tribes like Mutisieae (e.g., Munnozia and Sinclairia). Succulent stems characterize some arid-adapted genera, such as Kleinia stapeliiformis, where cylindrical, branching stems up to several meters store water and lack persistent leaves. Leaves of Asteraceae are versatile in arrangement, occurring as alternate, opposite, or in basal rosettes, and range from simple and entire to pinnately compound or deeply lobed with serrate, dentate, or entire margins. Petioles vary from short to long, with venation typically pinnate or acrodromous. Resin ducts within veins provide defensive exudates in genera like Mikania, while trichomes—glandular, stellate, or floccose—cover surfaces for protection against herbivores and desiccation in species such as Piptocarpha. Heterophylly, involving shifts from entire juvenile leaves to lobed adult forms, is notable in genera like Senecio, as in S. lautus where environmental cues influence leaf shape transitions.

Reproductive structures

The inflorescences of Asteraceae are distinctive capitula, or flower heads, that mimic a single large flower but consist of numerous tightly clustered florets borne on a common receptacle. These capitula are subtended by an involucre of bracts known as phyllaries, typically arranged in several overlapping series that provide protection and support to the developing florets. The size of capitula varies greatly across the family, ranging from as small as 2 mm in diameter in certain species of the tribe Eupatorieae to up to 30 cm in sunflowers (Helianthus annuus). Each capitulum contains florets with actinomorphic or zygomorphic corollas that are typically five-lobed, though the lobes may be fused into various shapes. Disk florets, located centrally, have tubular corollas suited for bisexual reproduction and nectar production to attract pollinators, while ray florets, positioned peripherally in many , feature ligulate (strap-shaped) corollas that enhance visual attraction but are often sterile or female. Florets exhibit diverse sexual expressions, including hermaphroditic, unisexual (male or female), or sterile forms, contributing to the family's reproductive flexibility. The receptacle, the expanded apex of the peduncle upon which florets are attached, is usually flat to conical and may bear chaff-like scales (paleae) that protect individual florets in some taxa. The androecium consists of five stamens with syngenesious anthers, fused into a cylinder surrounding the style, a condition characteristic of the . Pollen is presented secondarily when the elongating style emerges from the anther tube, sweeping pollen grains outward onto the style branches for transfer to pollinators. This mechanism ensures efficient pollen dispersal while the stigmatic surfaces remain protected internally until receptive.

Fruits and dispersal

The fruits of the Asteraceae family are cypselas, small, dry, indehiscent achenes that develop from inferior ovaries and contain a single each. These cypselas vary in shape from prismatic (often ribbed with 4–10 ribs) to compressed or cylindrical forms, with surfaces that may be glabrous, pubescent, glandular, or winged. A key feature in most Asteraceae species is the pappus, a modified calyx structure at the cypsela apex composed of bristles, scales, or awns that primarily aids in wind dispersal (anemochory) by acting as a parachute-like apparatus. Pappus morphology is diverse, including scabrid or plumose bristles arranged in one or more series, and it enhances lift and vortex formation during flight, with optimal performance in structures having around 100 parts. However, the pappus is absent or reduced in some tribes, such as certain members of Mutisieae (e.g., Hidalgoa and Tilesia), where dispersal relies on other means. Alternative dispersal strategies occur in some species; for instance, cypselas with retrorsely barbed awns or hooks, as in Bidens, attach to animal fur for epizoochory (zoochory). In wetland or aquatic habitats, certain species exhibit hydrochory through buoyant cypselas that float on water, facilitating dispersal by currents, as observed in invasive wetland species like Cotula coronopifolia. Cypselas are generally small, ranging from 0.2 to 10 mm in length, which supports efficient dispersal. Mature seeds within cypselas typically retain a thin layer (one or two cells) of for storage, though reserves are primarily in the cotyledons. is common, with physiological dormancy prevalent in about 78% of species, often involving germination inhibitors in the pericarp that limit embryo growth until broken by environmental cues like stratification or .

Diversity

Morphological diversity

The Asteraceae family exhibits considerable morphological diversity in its floral structures, deviating from the typical capitulum composed of both ray and disk florets. Capitula can be homogamous, featuring all florets of uniform morphology—either all disk or all ray (ligulate)—or heterogamous, with a mix of ray and disk florets where peripheral ray florets differ markedly in development from central disk florets. In certain tribes like Mutisieae, bilabiate corollas—characterized by two-lipped structures—occur, adding to the variation in floret symmetry and function. Pollen morphology in Asteraceae is highly diverse, with over 20 distinct types identified across the , reflecting adaptations to strategies. Grains are typically small, isopolar, and tricolporate, but ornamentation varies from echinate (spiny) to spinulose (finely spiny) or psilate (smooth), with triporate apertures common in the large Asteroideae. grains are typically shed as binucleate in many species, though some are trinucleate; this variation relates to strategies and systems prevalent in the . Growth habits within Asteraceae span a broad spectrum, enabling occupation of diverse habitats from arid to aquatic environments. Succulent xerophytes, such as species in the genus Kleinia, feature thickened leaves and stems for in dry regions. Climbers like Mikania species use twining stems to ascend supports in tropical forests. Geophytes, with underground storage organs, include many herbs that regenerate from bulbs or rhizomes after seasonal . Subfamily Cichorioideae is distinguished by capitula composed entirely of ligulate (ray) florets, in contrast to the predominantly disk florets (often mixed with rays) in Asteroideae. , widespread in the family, contributes to variations in size and organ dimensions, with higher ploidy levels often correlating with increased and larger structures.

Biochemical diversity

The Asteraceae family exhibits remarkable biochemical diversity, particularly in secondary metabolites that contribute to plant defense, ecological interactions, and adaptation. These compounds, produced in specialized structures such as glandular trichomes and laticifers, include sesquiterpene lactones, polyacetylenes, , coumarins, and essential oils, which play crucial roles in deterring herbivores, pathogens, and competitors. Sesquiterpene lactones are among the most characteristic secondary metabolites in Asteraceae, often imparting a bitter and exhibiting properties; they are commonly found in the of many . These compounds, numbering over 5,000 identified structures across the , mediate allelopathic effects by inhibiting the growth of neighboring through root exudates and volatilized forms. A prominent example is , a from , which demonstrates potent antimalarial activity due to its endoperoxide bridge that generates in target cells. Polyacetylenes, flavonoids, and coumarins further enhance the defensive repertoire of Asteraceae, with polyacetylenes acting as and insecticidal agents synthesized via pathways. , exceeding 800 distinct compounds in the family, provide UV protection through their absorption properties and contribute to pigmentation in flowers and leaves, while also serving as antioxidants against . Coumarins, often co-occurring with these, exhibit effects and aid in microbial modulation, underscoring their role in plant resilience. Essential oils, rich in monoterpenes, are prevalent in genera such as , where oxygenated monoterpenes like and 1,8-cineole dominate and confer volatility for repelling herbivores. These oils, distilled from aerial parts, also support attraction through scent profiles. Beyond ecological functions, certain biochemical compounds in Asteraceae , including profilins and transfer proteins, act as allergens triggering IgE-mediated responses in humans, contributing to hay fever in approximately 10-20% of sufferers in pollen-rich regions.

Taxonomy and classification

Historical development

The classification of the Asteraceae family, historically known as Compositae, began with early recognitions of its distinctive composite flower structure. In 1700, described the group as a class divided into three families based on types, such as discoid and ligulate heads, emphasizing their unified appearance despite the aggregation of many small florets. further advanced this by grouping the plants under the class Synanthera in his Philosophia Botanica (1751), highlighting the fused anthers as a key synapomorphy, though he did not elevate it to a formal family until later refinements by contemporaries like Giseke in 1792. In the , Henri Cassini laid foundational work for tribal divisions, proposing an initial system of 13 tribes in 1816, which he expanded to 20 by 1819 based on characters like style branching and receptacle structure, establishing the bases for modern intrafamilial classification. George Bentham's influential system, published in Genera Plantarum (1873–1876), retained 13 tribes while integrating Cassini's insights with broader morphological data, a framework that remained widely adopted for over a century due to its practicality and alignment with observed variations in corolla and cypsela forms. The 20th century saw refinements toward subfamilial organization, with Arthur Cronquist recognizing 13 subfamilies in 1955, incorporating phylogenetic considerations such as ovary position and morphology to better reflect evolutionary relationships within the family. During the , the name shifted from the long-established Compositae—coined by Adanson in 1763—to Asteraceae, originally proposed by Martynov in 1820, to prioritize the Aster under nomenclatural rules, marking a transition toward molecular-informed systems. Historically, the family has accumulated over 100 synonyms due to varying circumscriptions and across early botanical works. The I classification in 1998 confirmed the monophyly of Asteraceae within the order , integrating chloroplast DNA data to solidify its position as a cohesive lineage distinct from other euasterids.

Current phylogeny

The current classification of Asteraceae is primarily based on molecular phylogenetic analyses, with the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group IV (APG IV) system from 2016 providing a foundational framework that recognizes four major subfamilies—Asteroideae, Cichorioideae, Carduoideae, and Mutisioideae—while recognizing at least 12–17 subfamilies in total, including basal ones like Barnadesioideae—accounting for the vast majority of diversity in the family. However, subsequent molecular studies have refined this structure, proposing up to 17 subfamilies to better reflect evolutionary relationships derived from plastid and nuclear data. The largest subfamily, Asteroideae, encompasses approximately 17,000 species across about 1,100 genera, representing over 70% of the family's total diversity. Key clades within Asteraceae include the basal Barnadesioideae, which diverged early and exhibits primitive traits such as multi-seeded cypselae; Cichorioideae, characterized by lettuce-like with and often ligulate florets; and Carduoideae, featuring thistle-like with spiny involucres and capitula. These clades highlight the family's radiation, with Asteroideae further subdivided into supertribes like Helianthodae and Asterodae based on nuclear and phylogenies. A 2024 nuclear phylogenomic study utilizing transcriptomes and genome-skimming data from 706 species across 16 subfamilies resolved previously ambiguous deep nodes with high support (bootstrap values ≥92%), confirming the family's monophyly and providing a robust backbone for further evolutionary analyses. As of 2025, Asteraceae comprises approximately 25,000–30,000 species in about 1,700 genera, with ongoing discoveries such as the newly described Aster xuelinii from Gansu Province, China (2025), exemplifying continued taxonomic refinement. Prominent genera include Helianthus (sunflowers, ~70 species), Artemisia (wormwoods, ~300 species), and Senecio (the largest genus, with ~1,250 species distributed globally).

Etymology

The name Asteraceae derives from the type genus Aster, which originates from the Ancient Greek word astḗr (ἀστήρ), meaning "star," in reference to the star-like appearance of the flower heads in many species. An alternative name for the family is Compositae, stemming from the Latin compositus, meaning "composed" or "made up of parts," which alludes to the composite nature of the flower heads that consist of numerous small florets clustered together. The family was formally named Asteraceae by Czech botanists Bedřich Všemír von Berchtold and Jan Svatopluk Presl in their 1820 work O přirozenosti rostlin. The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) conserves both Asteraceae and Compositae as valid, with Asteraceae taking precedence in modern usage due to its basis on the type genus, though Compositae remains widely recognized for its historical longevity dating back to Michel Adanson's 1763 proposal. The standard English pronunciation of Asteraceae is /ˌæstəˈreɪsiː.iː/, while Compositae is pronounced /kəmˈpɒzɪtiː/. In English, the family is commonly called the "daisy family," a term derived from the dægeseage (or dæges eage), meaning "day's eye," referring to the way petals of the common daisy (Bellis perennis) open in the morning and close at night. Globally, the family is known by over 20 common names in various languages, reflecting its widespread cultural significance, such as "sunflower family" in reference to prominent members like the sunflower ( annuus).

Evolutionary history

Fossil record

The fossil record of Asteraceae is primarily documented through dispersed grains, which provide the earliest of the family's existence. The oldest confirmed s are triporate, echinate pollen grains assigned to the extinct morphotype Tubulifloridites lilliei, recovered from deposits (Campanian-Maastrichtian) on the , dated to approximately 76–66 million years ago (Ma). These specimens, preserved in dinosaur-bearing sediments from James Ross and Islands, indicate that Asteraceae originated in southern high-latitude Gondwanan regions during the final stages of the era. The diagnostic triporate pollen structure, featuring three pores and a spiny exine, distinguishes these early records from other angiosperm families. By the Eocene epoch, around 50 Ma, the fossil record expands to include megafossils such as inflorescences, fruits, and associated pollen, signaling initial diversification. A key example is the extinct Raiguenrayun, represented by a remarkably preserved capitulescence from the Middle Eocene (ca. 47.5 Ma) of , , which exhibits early capitulum-like structures and suggests basal affinities to modern subfamilies like Mutisioideae. Fruits and achenes, characteristic of the , also appear in Eocene deposits, highlighting northward migration and adaptation to temperate environments. These early fossils demonstrate the development of key reproductive features, including composite heads and cypselas. The and epochs mark a period of explosive radiation, with records proliferating across continents, particularly in and , where diverse morphotypes indicate rapid and ecological expansion. sites in , for instance, preserve of tribes like , reflecting adaptation to emerging grasslands and cooler climates. Overall, numerous fossil species and morphotypes—exceeding 200 in total—have been described from global deposits, underscoring Asteraceae's evolutionary prominence; extinct lineages like Raiguenrayun illustrate early branches that contributed to the family's basal diversity before the dominance of extant clades.

Key evolutionary innovations

The Asteraceae family, one of the largest and most successful angiosperm clades, owes much of its diversification to several key evolutionary innovations that enhanced reproductive efficiency, dispersal, and defense mechanisms. A primary adaptation is the composite inflorescence, or capitulum, which mimics a single large flower to attract a broader range of pollinators, thereby increasing success compared to solitary florets. This structure, consisting of numerous small flowers clustered into a dense head, likely evolved in the , with molecular estimates placing the origin of the family around 85–90 million years ago, coinciding with the family's initial radiation and contributing to its ecological dominance. Reproductive innovations further optimized pollen transfer and seed development. The syngenesious anthers, where filaments are fused to the corolla and anthers connate into a tube surrounding the style, facilitate secondary pollen presentation: as the style elongates, it pushes outward for efficient deposition on visiting pollinators, reducing and enhancing cross-pollination rates. Complementing this, the inferior —derived from a bicarpellate structure embedded within the receptacle—provides superior protection to developing by shielding them from herbivores and environmental stresses during floret maturation. High rates of have also driven rapid and adaptability in Asteraceae, often resulting from whole-genome duplications that enable novel morphological and physiological traits. Recent phylogenetic analyses from 2024 highlight how polyploidy facilitates insular radiations, such as those producing over 100 endemic species in isolated archipelagos like , where adaptive bursts allow colonization of diverse microhabitats. Defensive and dispersal strategies further underscore the family's evolutionary success. Sesquiterpene lactones, a class of secondary metabolites unique to Asteraceae, evolved as potent chemical defenses against herbivores, with their influencing and resistance levels in species like . For seed dispersal, the pappus—a modified calyx of fine bristles crowning the cypsela ()—evolved to promote anemochory (wind dispersal), enabling long-distance propagation by creating parachute-like structures that optimize flight performance under varying wind conditions.

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

The Asteraceae family exhibits a , occurring on all continents except , with representatives spanning subpolar to tropical regions across diverse habitats from deserts to montane zones. This widespread presence underscores the family's adaptability and success as one of the largest angiosperm families, comprising over 25,000 . The highest species diversity is concentrated in , with approximately 6,940 native species, particularly in Andean hotspots like and , and in the Mediterranean Basin, which hosts numerous endemic and diverse lineages adapted to semi-arid conditions. While roughly 70% of species are found in the , the retains significant native diversity, including early-branching clades. In and , Asteraceae include prominent , with hundreds of introduced taxa naturalized, outnumbering many native taxa and altering local floras through rapid establishment. Recent records as of 2025 document ongoing range expansions, particularly in , where invasive and newly recorded have increased provincial occupancy by an average of 25% from 2016 to 2020, driven by climate suitability and human-mediated dispersal. is notably high on oceanic islands, exemplified by the silversword alliance (Argyroxiphium and relatives) in , comprising around 30 endemic to the , many restricted to specific volcanic habitats. Globally, islands harbor about 6,000 native Asteraceae , with 58% endemic, highlighting the family's propensity for insular radiations.

Habitat preferences

The Asteraceae family demonstrates exceptional ecological amplitude, inhabiting diverse abiotic environments ranging from extreme aridity to persistent moisture and high-altitude cold. In arid deserts, genera such as Asteriscus occupy dry rocky slopes, wadis, and semi-desert pans, where they endure low precipitation and high temperatures. Conversely, Bidens species favor habitats, including marshes, meadows, and edges of lakes and rivers, tolerating seasonal flooding and saturated soils. At higher elevations, taxa like Oreostemma alpigenum persist in alpine meadows, subalpine slopes, and rocky areas subject to short growing seasons, frost, and intense solar radiation. These habitat preferences are underpinned by specialized adaptations that enhance survival across environmental gradients. Succulence, characterized by thickened leaves or stems for , is prevalent in dry habitats, as in the genus Kleinia, which mitigates in arid zones. Rhizomatous enable vegetative spread and resource acquisition in disturbed or compacted soils, exemplified by Packera layneae in fire-prone landscapes. Halophytic species, such as Aster tripolium, exhibit salt tolerance through ion compartmentalization and osmotic adjustment, allowing growth in salt marshes and saline coastal flats. Grasslands host a significant proportion of Asteraceae species, with dry grassland types supporting particularly high diversity due to the family's affinity for open, seasonal environments. resistance in such settings is bolstered by physiological mechanisms like (CAM) photosynthesis in select lineages, where stomata open nocturnally to reduce transpirational water loss; this is evident in succulent Kleinia species native to arid African regions. Asteraceae diversity peaks in temperate zones, comprising the majority of the family's global in subtropical to mid-latitude arid and semi-arid areas, though notable representation occurs in tropical understories of and , including widespread genera like in shaded forest floors.

Ecology

Pollination and

The majority of Asteraceae species rely on insect (entomophily), with bees and flies serving as primary pollinators due to the family's generalized floral displays that attract a broad range of visitors. Ray florets, which are often sterile or female, function to mimic petals and enhance visual attraction for these , while disk florets produce and to reward visitors. A minority of species, particularly those with small, inconspicuous heads, exhibit wind pollination (anemophily), as seen in high-elevation lineages like where reduced ligules and high pollen output facilitate airborne dispersal. Reproductive strategies in Asteraceae emphasize , with (SI) prevalent in approximately 63% of species to prevent self-fertilization and promote genetic diversity. , an asexual mode of production, is relatively rare but occurs prominently in certain genera, notably (dandelions), where it allows without fertilization and contributes to rapid colonization. Disk florets typically maintain a pollen-ovule of around 1:1 in terms of functional units per bisexual flower, supporting efficient outcrossing, though actual grain counts vary. Hybridization is frequent, with evidence of admixture in roughly 20% of (sunflower) species, driving adaptive . Breeding systems are predominantly hermaphroditic, with being rare across the family. , involving co-occurrence of hermaphroditic and female individuals, is more common in genera like (thistles), where it enhances rates through limitation on female plants. These mechanisms, including brief references to floral structures like the composite head, underpin the family's , distinct from strategies.

Interactions with other organisms

Asteraceae species are subject to substantial herbivory, primarily by , many of which are host-specific specialists adapted to the family's chemical and structural defenses. For instance, in dandelions (), latex exudates containing secondary metabolites like taraxinic acid β-glucopyranosyl ester deter root herbivores by impairing their feeding and digestion, thereby enhancing plant fitness under attack. Trichomes, often glandular in Asteraceae, provide physical barriers and release sticky or toxic compounds that entrap or repel herbivores, reducing damage across various genera. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic associations with the roots of most Asteraceae species, similar to over 80% of terrestrial , extending the to improve and uptake while exchanging carbohydrates from the host. Endophytic fungi colonizing tissues, including those in Asteraceae, further bolster by modulating host physiology, such as increasing osmolyte production and activity to mitigate stress effects. Allelopathic compounds from further suppress grass germination and growth in these invaded areas, inhibiting competitors via root exudates that disrupt seedling development. Certain Asteraceae serve as hosts for parasitic plants such as dodder ( spp.), which twine around stems and penetrate to extract nutrients, often targeting herbaceous genera like and . Additionally, rust fungi (e.g., species) act as pathogenic parasites, infecting leaves and stems of many Asteraceae, causing , , and reduced vigor through haustorial nutrient extraction and toxin production.

Role in ecosystems

Asteraceae play a pivotal role as keystone components in grassland ecosystems, particularly through their provision of essential nectar and pollen resources that support pollinator communities during critical late-season periods. Species such as goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) serve as primary food sources for a diverse array of bees, butterflies, wasps, and other insects, helping to sustain populations amid seasonal resource scarcity. Their extensive fibrous root systems further contribute to soil stabilization, anchoring substrates in erosion-prone areas and enhancing overall ecosystem resilience in grasslands. The family significantly bolsters by hosting thousands of insect species, including herbivores, pollinators, and parasitoids that rely on Asteraceae for , shelter, and reproduction. In ecosystems, Asteraceae often constitute a substantial portion of the , while their supports through deep-rooted accumulation of in soils. Recent studies highlight their rapid colonization in disturbed habitats, such as post-mining sites, where genera like and quickly establish and facilitate primary succession by stabilizing bare substrates and increasing functional richness. This biomass accumulation aids in long-term carbon storage in restored grasslands. As invasives, approximately 600 Asteraceae species have become widespread weeds globally, outcompeting native vegetation and disrupting ecosystem dynamics. For instance, common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) forms dense stands that reduce native plant diversity, while other species like crofton weed (Ageratina adenophora) alter fire regimes by increasing fuel loads and promoting more frequent, intense burns in invaded areas. These invasions can shift community composition, hindering succession and amplifying environmental stressors in grasslands and beyond.

Uses and cultivation

Economic uses

The Asteraceae family includes several major food crops that contribute significantly to global agriculture. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a primary oilseed crop, with global seed production reaching approximately 50.5 million metric tons in 2024, primarily used for extracting vegetable oil valued at around USD 23.29 billion in the same year. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), a leading leafy vegetable, accounts for the bulk of production in the lettuce and chicory category, totaling about 28 million metric tons worldwide in recent years, with China as the top producer at over 15 million metric tons. Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) provides edible flower heads, with global output around 1.59 million metric tons annually, concentrated in Mediterranean countries like Egypt and Italy. Beyond food, certain Asteraceae species serve industrial purposes, particularly in oil, fiber, and alternative materials. (Carthamus tinctorius) yields seeds for high-oleic oil and historically for natural red dyes derived from its flowers, with global seed production at approximately 0.6 million metric tons per year. (Parthenium argentatum), a native to the and , produces hypoallergenic from its stems and , offering a sustainable alternative to tropical latex; current U.S. efforts focus on commercial viability in arid regions, though production remains limited to pilot scales. Additionally, (Cichorium intybus) roots are processed into a caffeine-free , supporting a global market valued at USD 318.5 million in 2024. Asteraceae crops also play a role in , with byproducts like sunflower stalks and providing high-energy feed, while species such as are cultivated in pastures for their and . However, some in this family can accumulate toxic nitrates under stress conditions like or high fertilization, necessitating testing and management to prevent poisoning in ruminants.

Medicinal applications

The Asteraceae family includes numerous species documented for medicinal uses across various traditional systems, highlighting its significant role in due to diverse bioactive compounds. One of the most impactful applications is the antimalarial drug , derived from the leaves of , which has saved millions of lives globally since its widespread adoption in combination therapies around 2000, particularly in malaria-endemic regions. This targets the parasite by generating free radicals that disrupt its proteins, offering rapid parasite clearance and reducing mortality rates dramatically. Several Asteraceae species provide benefits, commonly incorporated into herbal remedies. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), for instance, is frequently prepared as a to soothe inflammatory conditions of the skin, mucous membranes, and , owing to its and content that inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines. Similarly, feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is used prophylactically for migraines, with clinical evidence indicating it reduces attack frequency by approximately 0.6 episodes per month compared to placebo, attributed to parthenolide's inhibition of serotonin release and inflammation. Research into Asteraceae-derived compounds extends to oncology, where guaianolides—sesquiterpene lactones from genera like Anthemis and Centaurea—demonstrate cytotoxic potential against cancer cells. These molecules induce apoptosis in tumor lines such as HeLa cervical cancer cells by alkylating cellular thiols and disrupting microtubule function, positioning them as candidates for further anticancer drug development. Additionally, ongoing 2025 studies evaluate dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) extracts for diuretic effects, confirming their ability to increase urine output comparable to conventional agents in preclinical models, potentially aiding conditions like edema through potassium-sparing mechanisms. Despite these benefits, certain Asteraceae species pose toxicological risks due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids, notably in Senecio genera, which cause hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome and irreversible liver damage upon chronic exposure. These hepatotoxins are bioactivated in the liver to form reactive pyrroles that damage endothelial cells, leading to veno-occlusive disease; consumption of contaminated herbal teas or forages has resulted in documented cases of acute and subacute .

Ornamental and other uses

The Asteraceae family provides a wealth of ornamental plants valued for their diverse flower forms, colors, and adaptability to gardens and landscapes. (Chrysanthemum spp.), for instance, feature numerous cultivars classified into 13 bloom types by the National Chrysanthemum Society, ranging from single daisies to elaborate pompons, making them staples in fall displays and floral arrangements. (Dahlia spp.), native to and , encompass 42 recognized species, with extensive hybridization producing thousands of garden varieties prized for their bold, showy blooms in nearly every color except blue. These and other Asteraceae genera, such as asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), (Zinnia spp.), and (Echinacea spp.), contribute significantly to the global cut flower industry, which exceeds $35 billion in annual value. Beyond aesthetics, Asteraceae species hold cultural importance in various traditions. Asters symbolize , patience, and remembrance across cultures and are incorporated into festivals and ceremonies, particularly in Eastern traditions where they represent and are used in autumn celebrations. (Carthamus tinctorius), a thistle-like annual, has been employed for centuries to produce vibrant red and yellow dyes; ancient Egyptians used it as early as 3500 BCE for textiles and , while in ancient and medieval Europe, it colored silks and legal documents. Numerous Asteraceae species are cultivated in for their ornamental qualities, supporting in gardens worldwide. In landscaping, certain Asteraceae plants aid erosion control due to their robust root systems and ability to thrive in challenging conditions. Golden ragwort (Packera aurea), a semi-evergreen , forms dense groundcover in woodland areas, stabilizing soil on slopes and preventing runoff. (Gazania spp.), with its low-growing habit and , excels in rock gardens and dry slopes, binding soil effectively. Creeping spotflower (Acmella radicans), a mat-forming native, is particularly useful in wet, erosion-prone sites, providing long-term stabilization while supporting pollinators. Some Asteraceae species exhibit potential for biofuel production, leveraging their high biomass yields. Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) and gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa) are notable examples, with studies highlighting their suitability for bioenergy conversion due to favorable volatile matter and energy content in stems and chaff. In weed management, biological control agents have been developed for invasive Asteraceae, including the white smut fungus (Entyloma ageratinae) for mistflower (Ageratina riparia) in New Zealand and Hawaii, and rust fungi for horseweed (Conyza bonariensis) in Australia, targeting over 20 such species to reduce ecological impacts without broad-spectrum herbicides.

References

  1. https://naturalhistory.si.edu/sites/default/files/media/file/asteraceae_0.pdf
  2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7999649/
  3. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.19590
  4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590346224000804
  5. https://www.scielo.br/j/rod/a/GB3fwMdSTNsMfWcbMh48YCf/?lang=en
  6. https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/0ded7a77-9efb-4684-8df0-48cbb1933684/profile/273973a1-e7d5-4fc5-8db8-0da1ab065626/attachment/f2b12f29-bb47-41a2-9e22-fa102146a3b9/download
  7. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.660261/full
  8. https://www.friendsanbg.org.au/guidesweb/couch/uploads/file/Asteraceae_Garden_Handbook.pdf
  9. https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstreams/c1f607ab-ba1d-47da-a168-cfe7762c0f02/download
  10. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/30465/10347247
  11. https://cals.cornell.edu/weed-science/weed-profiles/common-sunflower
  12. https://cals.cornell.edu/weed-science/weed-profiles/common-groundsel
  13. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/12/3214
  14. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/kleinia-stapeliiformis/
  15. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/env/resources/ad128eeb-5a72-4129-9302-4d619cdca312/files/flora-australia-37-asteraceae-1.pdf
  16. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Leaves-produced-by-a-single-plant-of-Senecio-lautus-collected-from-the-south-coast-of_fig1_233304337
  17. https://ezcurralab.ucr.edu/sites/default/files/2020-05/12_asteraceae.pdf
  18. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3828941/
  19. https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20361500/pdf_pubs/P2447.pdf
  20. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/helianthus
  21. https://diposit.ub.edu/dspace/bitstream/2445/46999/1/RAPS_III_Ch7.pdf
  22. https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/8/1682
  23. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11359061/
  24. https://idtools.org/seed_families/index.cfm?packageID=2246&entityID=57731
  25. https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/1871/187143301015.pdf
  26. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/seed-science-research/article/seed-dormancy-in-asteraceae-a-global-vegetation-zone-and-taxonomicphylogenetic-assessment/4EBC3D0598E2EBBB2D37BF044A0A93E3
  27. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40389335
  28. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-540-31051-8.pdf
  29. https://manoa.hawaii.edu/hpicesu/DPW/2007_YER/002.pdf
  30. https://www.sanbi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024_Strelitzia-47.pdf
  31. https://sibmoz.gov.mz/content/uploads/2024/06/Historical-vegetation-map-and-red-list-of-ecosystems-assessment-for-Mozambique-Version-2.0-_Final-report.pdf
  32. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26526450
  33. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00087114.2013.829690
  34. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07352689.2024.2307240
  35. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/296060272_Sesquiterpene_Lactones_More_Than_Protective_Plant_Compounds_With_High_Toxicity
  36. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.996498/full
  37. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3709812/
  38. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2515280/
  39. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11896686_Flavonoids_as_chemotaxonomic_markers_for_Asteraceae
  40. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874118308584
  41. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669018302796
  42. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30666578/
  43. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00173130510010558
  44. https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/11407/bot_2009_pr_Bonifacino_etal_Synantherologists.pdf
  45. https://floranorthamerica.org/Asteraceae
  46. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=10074
  47. https://repository.si.edu/bitstreams/f7fee0dd-ee1f-406c-aaf1-6b09cc4262e0/download
  48. https://www.iapt-taxon.org/historic//Congress/IBC_2005/suprageneric_2.pdf
  49. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2992015
  50. https://academic.oup.com/botlinnean/article/181/1/1/2416499
  51. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8705268/
  52. https://phytokeys.pensoft.net/article/166400/
  53. https://www.gbif.org/species/113579929
  54. https://pza.sanbi.org/asteraceae
  55. https://www.iapt-taxon.org/icbn/frameset/0022Ch3Sec2a018.htm
  56. https://www.howtopronounce.com/asteraceae
  57. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/plant-families/asteraceae-plant-family
  58. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1423653112
  59. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3241571/
  60. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2480586
  61. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240390443_Fossil_pollen_indicates_an_explosive_radiation_of_basal_Asteracean_lineages_and_allied_families_during_Oligocene_and_Miocene_times_in_the_Southern_Hemisphere
  62. https://www.gfbs-home.de/fileadmin/user_upload/ode2mods/ode/ode13/ode13_0001/article.pdf
  63. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51556-7
  64. https://academic.oup.com/sysbio/article/61/3/522/1670654
  65. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329208572_Pump_mechanism_secondary_pollen_presentation_psychophily_and_anemochory_in_Emilia_sonchifolia_L_DC_Asteraceae
  66. https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3732/ajb.1000299
  67. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373520257_An_Overview_to_the_Index_to_Chromosome_Numbers_in_Asteraceae_Database_Revisiting_Base_Chromosome_Numbers_Polyploidy_Descending_Dysploidy_and_Hybridization
  68. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11343744/
  69. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24380844/
  70. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11560378/
  71. https://www.earth.com/news/asteraceae-is-the-worlds-most-diverse-flowering-plant-family/
  72. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1393241/full
  73. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4193334/
  74. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1903871116
  75. https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Asteraceae
  76. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39933370/
  77. https://www.bsmpsbooks.com/journal/1000/article/NkQzNTk0
  78. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-08144-6
  79. https://flora.org.il/en/plants/astgra/
  80. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Asteriscus-graveolen-Forssk-in-its-native-habitat-in-south-eastern-of-Morocco_fig1_268273996
  81. https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/tall_bgticks.htm
  82. https://burkeherbarium.org/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Oreostemma%20alpigenum
  83. https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1448&context=aliso
  84. https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=184831&inline
  85. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0981942806000817
  86. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240653877_Diversity_and_distribution_of_Asteraceae_along_a_rainfall_gradient_in_Uganda
  87. https://par.nsf.gov/servlets/purl/10346231
  88. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8155370/
  89. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468265920300342
  90. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10583202/
  91. https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1989.tb15145.x
  92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-023-01480-6
  93. https://bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2229-10-154
  94. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9907532/
  95. https://www.preslia.cz/P104Bures.pdf
  96. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4701418/
  97. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12352644/
  98. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.919166/full
  99. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9294639/
  100. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12283011/
  101. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4316696/
  102. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.1079/cabicompendium.17111
  103. https://extension.psu.edu/aster-as-a-keystone-species/
  104. https://dyckarboretum.org/keystone-natives-for-the-food-web/
  105. https://www.roads.maryland.gov/OPR_Research/MD-09-SP608B4K-Development-of-Native-Seed-for-SHA-Projects-REPORT.pdf
  106. https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Henderson.pdf
  107. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-16441-3
  108. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10279892/
  109. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Ten-dominant-families-of-invasive-species_fig2_267767150
  110. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479725004219
  111. https://agupdate.com/farmandranchguide/markets/crop/article_b86e54ce-bc9e-11ef-873a-670d4a725ece.html
  112. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/sunflower-oil-market-101480
  113. https://www.scienceagri.com/2023/05/10-worlds-biggest-producers-of-lettuce.html
  114. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/artichoke-production-by-country
  115. https://www.fao.org/land-water/databases-and-software/crop-information/safflower/en/
  116. https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_PAAR5.pdf
  117. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/05/3181156/0/en/590-Million-Opportunity-in-the-Chicory-Market-A-Caffeine-Free-Coffee-Substitute-Gaining-Popularity-Globally.html
  118. https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/nitrate-toxicity-in-livestock.html
  119. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28215152/
  120. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3414217/
  121. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4966551/
  122. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9032859/
  123. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7133498/
  124. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19585474/
  125. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44372-025-00100-y
  126. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6032134/
  127. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/pyrrolizidine-alkaloidosis/pyrrolizidine-alkaloidosis-in-animals
  128. https://www.gardenia.net/guide/13-types-of-chrysanthemum
  129. https://www.dahlia.org/docsinfo/species-dahlias/
  130. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/dahlia/
  131. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cut-flowers-market-report
  132. https://fiftyflowers.com/blogs/flower-care/september-birth-flower-asters
  133. https://www.farmandfolk.com/blog/2024/1/9/natural-dye-cultivation-series-safflower
  134. https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Safflower
  135. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/asters/asteraceae-family.htm
  136. https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2021/04/16/native-plant-profile-golden-ragwort-packera-aurea/
  137. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/asteraceae
  138. https://houstonaudubon.org/conservation/bfc/nativeplants/gallery/creeping-spotflower.html
  139. https://mecagro.md/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/titei-et.al_.2018tm.pdf
  140. https://portal.nifa.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/0230103-arid-land-biofuel-crops-grindelia-squarrosa.html
  141. https://www.invasive.org/publications/xsymposium/proceed/01pg51.pdf
  142. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964416300263
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.