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Asteraceae / Compositae (daisy family)
Life
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Archaeoplastida >
Chloroplastida
>
Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants)
> Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants)
> Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering
plants)
> Eudicotyledons > Order: Asterales
There are 1528 genera and 22750 species worldwide
(cosmopolitan), of which 246 genera and 2305 species are native to southern
Africa.
Tribes in the Asteraceae that occur in southern Africa
Based on Herman et al. (2000).
Genera
cultivated in southern Africa with neither indigenous nor
naturalised representatives
Species that provide food and cullinary herbs
Anthemis nobilis (Chamomile) |
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Arctium
lappa (Burdock, Gobo)
Indigenous to Europe and introduced to Asia
and North America. The roots are used medicinally for skin complaints,
rheumatism and as a diuretic. Young roots are eaten as a vegetable.
Cultivated mainly in Japan. Has been cultivated in southern Africa, but not
well known here. |
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Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon) |
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Cichorium (Endive,
Chicory) |
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Cynara
cardunculus (Cardoon) The
fleshy leaf bases are eaten as a vegetable and the dried flowers are used
for curdling milk. Originates from southern Europe and Northwest Africa. |
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Cynara scolymus (Globe
Artichoke) Originates from North Africa. The flowerhead can be pickled, baked, fried, boiled or
stuffed. Young artichokes can be eaten raw. |
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Helianthus annuus (Sunflower)
Sunflowers originate from North America and are now
grown extensively for their seeds which produce vegetable oil that is used in
cooking, salad oils and margarines. The residue after oil extraction provides a
high protein food source for livestock. |
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Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke) The tuber is eaten cooked in casseroles and sauces or
eaten raw in salads. Originates from North America. Introduced to Europe in the 17th century. |
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Lactuca sativa (Lettuce) Lettuce originates from the wild Lactuca serriola
found in the Mediterranean and Near East and has been transformed from an erect
plant with bitter leaves to various cultivars including ones with distinctive
heads of chlorophyll deficient leaves. |
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Publications
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Bremer, K. 1994. Asteraceae, Cladistics
& Classification. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.
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Herman, P.P.J., Retief, E., Koekemoer, M.
& Welman, W.G. 2000. Asteraceae (Compositae). In: Seed Plants of
Southern Africa (ed. O.A. Leistner). Strelitzia 10: 101-170.
National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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Hilliard, O.M. 1977. Compositae in Natal.
University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg.
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Levyns, M.R. 1950. Compositae. In: Flora of
the Cape Peninsula (eds R.S. Adamson & T.M. Salter). Juta & Co.,
Ltd., Cape Town, pp. -.
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Merxmüller, H. 1967. Asteraceae. Prodromus
einer Flora von Südwestafrika 139: 1-185.
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Pope, G.V. 1992. 97. Compositae. Flora
zambesiaca 6,1: 1-264.
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