COMPOSITAE Meaning and
Definition
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Compositae is the former scientific name that referred to a large family of flowering plants commonly known as the aster, daisy, or sunflower family. The term "Compositae" is derived from the Latin word "compositus," meaning "composed" or "put together," which accurately describes the unique characteristic of its flower structure.
The family Compositae consists of approximately 1,600 genera and over 23,000 known species, making it one of the largest plant families. This extensive family is widely distributed across various habitats worldwide and ranges from herbaceous plants to shrubs and even some trees.
What distinguishes Compositae is its composite flower head, which is made up of two types of florets – ray florets and disc florets. The tiny individual flowers within the head come together to form a larger, showy structure. The outer ray florets typically have long, flat petals surrounding a central disc of tubular disc florets. This unique arrangement gives the appearance of a single flower, but it is actually a collection of many individual flowers.
Compositae plants are known for their diverse uses and economic importance. Many species within this family are cultivated as ornamental plants, providing vibrant and attractive blooms in gardens and landscapes. Additionally, several Compositae species are commercially grown for their agricultural value, such as sunflowers (Helianthus), chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum), and lettuce (Lactuca). Some species also have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicine for various purposes.
Overall, Compositae is a distinctive plant family characterized by its composite flower structure and vast species diversity, serving both aesthetic and practical purposes in human society.
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A very large order of gamopetalous dicotyledonous plants the inflorescence is a capitulum, the fruit an achene.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for COMPOSITAE
Etymology of COMPOSITAE
The word "Compositae" has a botanical etymology and refers to a family of flowering plants commonly known as the aster, daisy, or sunflower family. The term "Compositae" is derived from the Latin word "compositus", which means "composite" or "composed of". This name refers to the characteristic inflorescence structure of these plants, which appears as a composite or a cluster of many small individual flowers clustered together to form a larger flower head. The term "Compositae" was widely used to describe this plant family until recent taxonomic reclassifications. Currently, this family is referred to as Asteraceae, following newer botanical nomenclature.
Similar spelling words for COMPOSITAE
- compositor,
- composition,
- compost pile,
- composedly,
- compost heap,
- composing,
- composer,
- compositeness,
- compos mentis,
- compose,
- composite,
- compositional,
- composed.y,
- compost,
- composed,
- composure,
- compassion.
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