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.
Corrections/Comments:
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