Wildflower Wednesday: Asteraceaes Rock

Truthfully, I wouldn't have a garden without Asteraceae family members!

Gaillardia and Conoclinium coelestinum, you can see the fluffy seeds developing

Especially at this time of year...That doesn't mean that there aren't asteraceaes blooming in the Spring or Summer. There are, but, come September they take center stage as they step up to the job of feeding the visiting pollinators, birds and mammals as those critters prepare for winter.

an ex-Aster

Here in Tennessee we have an array of marvelous asteraceaes to choose among...In fact, we have 320 different species (world wide there are over 23,000 recognized asteraceae species).  That's a lot of plant material.

Rudbeckia fulgida var fulgida

Composite is another name for an asteraceae flower.  They share some similar characteristics that make identifying them easier. For instance, if you look closely at any of the flowers in this post, you will see that what looks like one single flower is actually a composite of many smaller tube shaped florets. They have disk flowers, ray flowers or a combination of disks and rays. They also have bracts rather than sepals and they need wind or animals to disperse their seeds. 

Vernonia has only disc flowers

Asteraceae is an economically important family.  They're grown for food, cooking oils and medicine.

Verbesina virginica  has both ray and disk flowers.

 These rough and tumble, take of themselves beauties fulfill an important role in a garden ecosystem.

The Joes and Echinaceas are both asteraceaes

 But, you don't have to take my word for it. Just watch your garden and you'll  easily see:

Ex-Aster Symphyotrichum patens

 Which flowers are pollinator magnets,

Which seed heads are beloved of the birds and

Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Henry Eiler' with disguised Wavy-lined Emerald caterpillar

 Which  flowers provide food and shelter.

Conoclinium coelestinum also known as Blue Mist Flower

In my garden the asteraceaes are always entertaining guests. Of course,  many other plant families have pollen and nectar rich plants, but, I think the asteraceas rock!

So, plant more of them, your garden residents will thank you and you'll be happy, too.

xxoogail

Welcome to Clay and Limestone's Wildflower Wednesday celebration. WW is about sharing and celebrating wildflowers from all over this great big, beautiful world. Join us on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Remember, it doesn't matter if they are in bloom or not; and, it doesn't matter if we all share the same plants. It's all about celebrating wildflowers. Please leave a comment when you add your url to Mr Linky. 

Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.