|Leopard's bane, Doronicum pardalianches|
|Chicory, Cichorium intybus|
|Pearly everlasting, Anaphalis margaritacea composed of disc and ray flowers|
|Fall dandelion, Scorzoneroides autumnalis consists of ray flowers only|
Exceptionally, dandelions have no disc flowers.
|Rayless chamomile, Matricaria discoidea with disc florets only|
|Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare|
|Ragweed, Ambrosia artemisifolia|
|Blunt-leaved rabbit-tobacco, Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium|
Evolving from a common origin, or at least a common principle, the Compositae have diversified along ingenious pathways of species development. A family gathering of composites presents whimsical personalities.
|Three-leaved rattlesnake-root, Nabalus trifoliolatus|
|Nabalus trifoliolatus flower detail|
|Mouse-ear hawkweed, Hieracium pilosella|
|Spotted Joe-Pye weed, Eutrochium maculatum|
|Yellow thistle, Cirsium horridulum|
|Bull thistle, Cirsium vulgare|
|Tall lettuce, Lactuca canadensis|
|Woodland sunflower, Helianthus divaricatus|
|Ox-eye daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare|
In searching out the scope of the daisy family at Halibut Point I have encountered about seventy species in thirty-six different genera. They are more or less conspicuous, and more or less distinguishable from one another.
In September the most complex branches of the Compositae, asters and goldenrods, brighten every corner of the landscape. I look forward to bringing them center-stage in next week's essay.