WORLD
Achenes of sunflower family
Baku, May 2 (AZERTAC). The largest family of flowering plants is the ubiquitous sunflower family (Asteraceae or Compositae). According to James L. Reveal of the University of Maryland, the family contains nearly 1550 genera and 24,000 species. The sunflower family is rivaled in size only by the orchid family (Orchidaceae) with approximately 20,000 species and the legume family (Fabaceae) with about 18,000 species.
In fact, if all the known species of flowering plants on earth were randomly lined up, every fourth one would belong to the sunflower, orchid or legume families. The sunflower family includes a great diversity of species, including annuals, perennials, stem succulents, vines, shrubs and trees. It is well-represented in parks and gardens throughout the world, with bedding plants, ground covers and shrubs. Familiar common names, such as daisies, marigolds, zinnias, gazanias and chrysanthemums all belong to this family. Throughout San Diego County and the southwestern United States (where Wayne`s Word is based), this family is usually represented by the largest number of wild species in coastal mountain and desert regions. In many areas of the world, members of this family comprise 10 to 20 percent of the total flora. The family also includes numerous endemic species that only grow on one isolated mountain range or island, such as the remarkable silver sword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense var. macrocephalum) endemic to Haleakala Crater on the Hawaiian Island of Maui and the beautiful Panamint daisy (Enceliopsis covillei) endemic to California`s Panamint Range. In addition, the family includes many economically important herbs and vegetables, and has some of the world`s most widespread and successful weedy species with very effective hitchhiker seeds and seeds dispersed by air currents.