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Glossary for Asteraceae
For terms not listed here, see the Plant Glossary.
- Achene
- A hard, one-seeded, indehiscent nutlet with a tight pericarp. An example is the sunflower seed in the shell (pericarp).
- Biseriate
- Having two series, or rows, of parts; having two rows or sets of phyllaries (bracts) on the involucre.
- Claw
- The narrowed base of the corolla of a ray flower.
- Crown
- In the Asteraceae family, scales or awns at the summit of an achene.
- Disk or disc
- The central portion of a capitate inflorescence, or the receptacle of such an inflorescence.
- Disk flowers
- The central, tubular flowers of the head. Compare ray flower.
- Floret
- A single small flower, usually a member of a cluster, such as a head; see disk flower and ray flower.
- Head
- A dense, compact cluster of mostly sessile flowers, used to describe the inflorescence in the Asteraceae family.
- Imbricate
- Having phyllaries (bracts) on the involucre that overlap each other like roof shingles.
- Inflorescence
- The discrete flowering portion or portions of a plant; a flower cluster.
- Involucre
- A whorl or imbricated series of bracts, often appearing somewhat calyx-like, typically subtending the head.
- Ligulate
- Bearing a ligule.
- Ligule
- The dilated or flattened, spreading limb of the composite ray flower.
- Limb
- The expanded portion of a corolla above the throat; the expanded portion of any petal.
- Pappus
- A modification of the calyx, usually in the Asteraceae family, such that the segments appear as a low crown, a ring of scales, or fine hairs.
- Peduncle
- The stalk which supports a head.
- Phyllary
- A bract of the involucre.
- Ray
- A strap-shaped, ligulate, typically marginal, flower in the head of a composite inflorescence.
- Ray flower
- A strap-shaped, ligulate, typically marginal, flower in the head of a composite inflorescence. Also called ligulate flower. Compare to disk flower.
- Receptacle
- An enlarged or elongated base of a head on which the flowers are borne.
- Staminal tube
- The stamens of a composite flower united into a ring.
- Uniseriate
- Having only one series, or row, of parts; having only one row of phyllaries (bracts) on the involucre.
Related Web Sites:
Online Plant Glossaries
Information provided on this page applies to the Chicago Region and may not be relevant or complete for other regions. Disclaimer
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