Daisy Family, Compositae

Daisies

"All chicory-like plants have annual leaves, which grow from the root and start to blossom after the Pleiad. The chicory's stalk is large and branched. It is, also, very durable and breaks with difficulty, it is, therefore, used for tying. It produces branching shoots from the root and has long roots, it is, thus, practically indestructible. Because, when its shoots are cut, to be used as a vegetable, it begins to grow anew."

Theophrastus, "Enquiry into Plants"

The family Asteraceae or Compositae, known as the Aster, Daisy or Sunflower family, is the largest family of flowering plants, in terms of number of species.

The name Asteraceae is derived from the type genus Aster, while Compositae, an older but still valid name, means composite and refers to the unique inflorescence, a special type of

pseudanthium found in only a few other angiosperm families. I'll stick with the name Compositae for no particular reason, other than to be in accord with my field guide.

The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew, maintain that the family comprises more than 1,600 genera and 23,000 species. The largest genera are Senecio (1,500 species), Vernonia (1,000 species), Cousinia (600 species), Centaurea (600 species). The circumscription of the genera is often problematic and some of these have been frequently divided into minor subgroups. Compositae are cosmopolitan, but most common in the temperate regions and tropical mountains.

Below you'll find some representative samples of the many Compositae that abound the Pelion region, especially during the spring.


		Anthemis arvensis Check out the Corn Chamomile, a very variable aromatic annual, that can be seen in flower between April and July. By the way, I'm pretty sure this is a Corn Chamomile, judging from its leaves, but I'm not 100% positive. So, if you have any suggestions, kindly drop me a line.
		Chrysanthemum segetum Enjoy pictures of the Corn Marigold, whose genus name, Chrysanthemum is derived from the Greek words "chrysos", meaning gold or golden, and "anthos", meaning flower.
		Cichorium spinosum Take a look at the Spiny Chicory, an intricately branched subshrub with edible leaves and shoots that is abundant in the Pelion region.
		Pulicaria dysenterica Enjoy pictures of the Common Fleabane, which, as its name suggests, was used, at one time, as a flea repellent. And, as you may have guessed from its scientific name, the plant was also used to treat dysentery.
		Sonchus asper Look at pictures of the Prickly Sow-Thistle, a very common plant in the Pelion region, whose leaves and shoots make a fantastic salad!
		Tragopogon hybridum Check out the Slender Salsify, whose genus name is derived from the Greek words "tragos", meaning goat, and "pogon", meaning beard.
		Tragopogon porrifolius Take a peek at Purple Salsify, an extremely beautiful plant, whose swollen, fleshy rootstock and young, green shoots are edible.
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