702 



ASTERACE^E. 



[Epigynous Exogens. 



Order CCLXXIII. ASTERACE^.— Composites. 



Compositse, Aduns. Fam. 2.103. (1763) ; Kunth in Humb. N. G.et Sp.vol. 4; Lessing,Synops. Compos.; 

 Royk's Illmtr. 245 ; DC. Prodr. vol. 5, SfC.; Endl. Gen. cxx. ; Meisner, p. 174. — Synanthereae, 

 Rich. Anal. (1808); Cassini Diet. Se. N. 10. 131. (1818); Ibid. 60. 563. (1830).— Corymbifera?, 

 Cynarocephalae, and Cichoracea;, Juts. Gen. (1789% 



Diagnosis. — Campanal Exogens, with a l-celled ovary, valvate corolla, syngenesious 



anthers, erect ovule, and no albumen. 



Herbaceous plants or 

 shrubs. Leaves alter- 

 nate or opposite, without 

 stipules, usually simple, 

 but commouly much di- 

 vided. Flowers (called 

 florets) unisexual or her- 

 maphrodite, collected in 

 dense heads upon a com- 

 mon receptacle, sur- 

 rounded by an involucre. 

 Bracts either present or 

 absent ; when present, 

 stationed at the base of 

 the florets, and called 

 palese of the receptacle. 

 Calyx superior, closely 

 adhering to the ovary, 

 and undistinguishable 

 from it ; its limb either 

 wanting or membranous, 

 divided into bristles, pa- 

 lese, hairs, or feathers, 

 and called pappus. Co- 

 rolla monopetalous, su- 

 perior, usually decidu- 

 ous, either ligulate or 

 fuunel-shaped ; in the 

 latter case, 4- or 5-tooth- 

 ed, with a valvate aesti- 

 vation. Stamens equal 

 in number to the teeth 

 of the corolla, and alter- 

 nate with them ; the 

 anthers cohering into a 

 cylinder. Ovary inferior, 

 l-celled, with a single 

 erect ovule ; style sim- 

 ple ; stigmas 3, either 

 distinct or united. Fruit 

 a small, indehiscent, dry 

 pericarp, crowned with 

 the limb of the calyx. 

 Seed solitary, erect ; 

 embryo with a taper in- 

 ferior radicle ; albumen 

 none. 



This is one of the most 

 natural and extensive 

 families of the vegetable 

 kingdom, at all times 

 recognised by its inferior 

 l-celled ovary, with an 

 erect ovule, syngenesious 

 stamens, and capitate 

 flowers. Calycers and 

 Tcazelworts, neighbour- 



Fig. CCCCLXXII1. 



Fig. OCCCLXXIII.— Centaurea Cyanus. 1. a floret; 2. the anthers; 3. perpendicular section of 

 young fruit ; 4. ripe fruit ; 5. floret of Taraxacum Dens Leonis. 



