Asteraceae

The asteraceae are a relatively young but widespread plant family with 25 000 species worldwide. They have adapted to very different living conditions, showing a wide range of forms (waterplants as well as desert plants, small herbages as well as large trees).

The formation of large, conspicuous, composite flowers is a characteristic feature of asteraceae. Well-known members are many ornamental plants (e.g. asters (Aster), sunflowers (Helianthus), marigolds (Calendula)), medical plants (e.g. yarrows (Achillea), arnicas (Arnica), camomiles (Matricaria)), and the wild forms of salad ((letuce, Lactuca), witloof (chicory, Cichorium)), as well as dandelion (Taraxacum).