ASTERACEAE

SUNFLOWER FAMILY

David J. Keil, Family Editor and author, except as specified

Annual to tree
Leaves basal or cauline, alternate to whorled, simple to compound
Inflorescence: 1° inflorescence a head, each resembling a flower, 1–many, generally arrayed in cymes, generally subtended by ± calyx-like involucre; flowers 1–many per head
Flowers bisexual, unisexual, or sterile, ± small, of several types; calyx 0 or modified into pappus of bristles, scales, or awns, which is generally persistent in fruit; corolla radial or bilateral (rarely 0), lobes generally (0)4–5; stamens 4–5, anthers generally fused into cylinder around style, often appendaged at tips, bases, or both, filaments generally free, generally attached to corolla near throat; pistil 1, ovary inferior, 1-chambered, 1-seeded, style 1, branches 2, generally hair-tufted at tip, stigmas 2, generally on inside of style branches
Fruit: achene, cylindric to ovoid, generally deciduous with pappus attached
Genera in family: ± 1300 genera, 21,000 species (largest family of dicots): worldwide. Largest family in CA. Also see tribal key to CA genera: Strother 1997 Madroño 44(1):1–28. See glossary p. 25 for illustrations of general family characteristics.

VENIDIUM

Elizabeth McClintock

Annual, perennial herb, tomentose
Stems erect, branched from base
Leaves alternate
Inflorescence: heads radiate, solitary; peduncles long; phyllaries in several overlapping series; receptacle flat, pitted, generally naked
Ray flowers: ligules generally yellow
Disk flowers many; corollas yellow; anthers with ovate tips, weakly sagittate at base; style slender below, thickened above a swollen node, branches short
Fruit 3–4-winged or -ribbed, glabrous; pappus 0 or of minute scales
Species in genus: 20–30 species: s Africa
Etymology: (Latin: vein, from the ribs)
Reference: [Stapf 1928 Curtis's Bot Mag Tab 9127]