Phyllary

 

Phyllaries are leaf-like structures that form around the base of Aster Family flowers. 

 

Phyllaries are very helpful in plant identification because they’re easy to see and vary quite a bit.

 

For instance, these pointed, hairy, curling back phyllaries are distinctive:


Bigflower Dandelion – photo courtesy Steve Matson

 

Phyllaries can be used to distinguish between the Aster group and Fleabane group.  Aster phyllaries tend to be disorganized like this:


Shasta Aster – photo courtesy Keir Morse

 

Fleabane phyllaries are relatively neat and organized:


Silver Fleabane – photo courtesy Steve Matson

 

Phyllaries are the Aster Family’s version of a bract.

 

Want more?  See Wikipedia.

 

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