One of the largest families (also commonly known as the “Sunflower” family) and is made up of over 20,000 different species of mostly herbs, shrubs, and veggies. The well-known members of this family include lettuce, artichokes, chicory, marigolds, burdock, and of course, sunflowers. Some weeds also call this family home, including ragweed and the infamous dandelion. Many Asteraceae members are characterized by their large tap roots and small clusters of flowers that often appear to be a single, large flower head. Species within this family tend to be most frequently found in dry locations, but with so many members, they have spread to most climate zones and can be found in most regions of the globe.
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