Family Profile: Asteraceae
Pictured above: Florida sunflower (Helianthus floridanus) by Emily Bell
328 species native to Florida
Source: Atlas of Florida Plants
Note: Recognized taxa may differ between sources, depending on which taxonomic approach is followed.
Family characteristics
Asteraceae is the largest family of flowering plants with over 30,000 recognized species worldwide. Some of its most recognizable members include the tickseeds (Coreopsis), our state wildflower, the sunflowers (Helianthus) and the asters (Symphyotrichum). Other popular wildflowers in this family are the gayfeathers (Liatris), goldenrods (Solidago) and ironweeds (Vernonia).
Photo by Eleanor Dietrich
A distinguishing characteristic of this family is its composite flowers — what appears to be a single flower is actually made up of many individual flowers. For example, in a tickseed flower, the large outer “petals” are ray flowers, which surround numerous disk flowers in the center. Within this large diverse family, species may have only disk flowers, only ray flowers, or both. Gayfeathers and Ironweeds, for example, have only disk flowers. Another characteristic of the Asteraceae family is that each individual flower produces only one seed, born in a dry, indehiscent fruit called an achene.
Interesting facts
Asteraceaes are a critical source of food for wildlife. They provide an abundance of nectar for pollinators and seeds for birds.
This family is so diverse that it includes interesting herbaceous plants like Florida Indian plantain (Arnoglossum floridanum), vines like Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens), and even trees like Saltbush (Baccharis halimifolia).
(Arnoglossum floridanum)
Photo by Emily Bell
Photo by Emily Bell
Photo by Emily Bell
Explore Florida native wildflowers in the Asteraceae family
Eastern silver aster
Eastern silver aster (Symphyotrichum concolor) is a winsome wildflower found in Florida’s pineland habitats. It typically blooms in fall but may bloom in summer and early winter.
Climbing aster
Climbing aster (Ampelaster carolinianus) is a robust vine-like shrub that produces many fragrant daisy-like lavender to pinkish blooms. It is an excellent nectar source for many butterflies and bees.
Florida sunflower
The Florida sunflower (Helianthus floridanus ) occurs naturally in wet to moist habitats from pine savannas to roadsides. Its fall blooms are a delight to many pollinators and the seeds feed songbirds.
Garberia
Garberia (Garberia heterophylla) is endemic to Florida’s north and central peninsula and is a state-listed threatened species. It is an excellent nectar source for many butterflies and bees.
Feay’s palafox
Feay’s palafox (Palafoxia feayi) is a very unique wildflower, endemic to Florida’s central and southern peninsula. It is a member of the Aster family, but bears few visual similarities.
Dense gayfeather
Dense gayfeather (Liatris spicata ) has striking spikes of purple flowers that bloom late summer through fall and are excellent attractors of butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects.
Camphorweed
Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris) typically blooms in summer and fall. Its flowers are attractive to many bees and butterflies. The plant has a camphor-like aroma, particularly when the leaves are disturbed.
Calico aster
Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is a lovely fall-blooming aster that occurs in a wide variety of habitats — from forests to marshes and wet prairies — and ranges across Eastern and into Central North America.
Shortleaf gayfeather
Shortleaf gayfeather (Liatris tenuifolia) is endemic to the Southeastern Coastal Plain and thrives in the dry, well-drained sands of Florida’s scrub and pine flatwoods. The beautiful lavender fall blooms are a valuable food source for many pollinators.
Chapman’s goldenrod
Of Florida’s 22 Goldenrods, Chapman’s goldenrod (Solidago odora var. chapmanii) is one of the best suited to home landscapes. A wonderful wildlife supporter, it is popular with a variety pollinators, songbirds eat the seeds and it provides cover for small animals.
Wand goldenrod
Wand goldenrod (Solidago stricta) persists in wetter environments than most of our other native goldenrods, occurring naturally in wet flatwoods and prairies.
Simmond’s aster
Simmond’s aster (Symphyotrichum simmondsii) is endemic to the Southeastern Coastal Plain and while recorded from the Carolinas to Alabama, it is most prevalent throughout peninsular Florida.
Perennial saltmarsh aster
Perennial saltmarsh aster (Symphyotrichum tenuifolium) is one of the few large-flowered species present among the grasses and rushes of the salt marsh. It plays an important ecological role for native bees!
Purpledisk honeycombhead
State-endangered Purpledisk honeycombhead (Balduina atropurpurea) occurs in wet pine flatwoods, savannas, bogs and wet ditches and is pollinated by a variety of insects including bumblebees and butterflies.
Pinkscale gayfeather
In fall, Florida’s natural areas and roadsides light up with flares of bright purple from our 17 native Liatris species. Among them, Pinkscale gayfeather (Liatris elegans) is one of the most beautiful and unique.
Oneflower honeycombhead
Oneflower honeycombhead (Balduina uniflora) is endemic to the Southeastern Coastal Plain and found in wet pine savannahs and flatwoods. Its beautiful yellow flowers attract butterflies and bees and the seedheads provide food for birds.
Lakeside sunflower
Lakeside sunflower (Helianthus carnosus) is a perennial wildflower endemic to northeast Florida that inhabits open sunny edges of lakes and marshes. The bright yellow flowers attract a variety of pollinators and the seeds are eaten by birds.
Swamp tickseed
Swamp tickseed (Coreopsis nudata) blooms in spring and is attractive to bees, although butterflies and other pollinators are known to visit them. Birds eat its seeds.
Oakleaf fleabane
Also known as Southern fleabane and Daisy fleabane, Oakleaf fleabane (Erigeron quercifolius) is a delicate, short-lived perennial wildflower. It typically blooms in spring and summer and attracts a variety of pollinators. It occurs naturally in sandhills and moist hammocks as well as in disturbed sites and along roadsides.
Pineland daisy
Pineland daisy (Chaptalia tomentosa) is an early-blooming aster found in wet flatwoods, bogs and freshwater marshes. It begins as nodding bud, and opens into a wheel of white ray florets.
Burr marigold
Burr marigold (Bidens laevis ) is an annual wildflower with bright yellow flowers that bloom in late fall through early winter. They attract many bees and butterflies.
Walter’s aster
Walter’s aster (Symphyotrichum walteri) in late fall and early winter, providing nectar and pollen to butterflies, bees and other pollinators at a time when floral resources are limited.
Saltbush
Also known as Groundsel tree and Sea myrtle, Saltbush (Baccharis halimifolia) is a long-lived perennial shrub that typically blooms in fall. It occurs naturally in coastal uplands and dunes, along pond margins, and in ditches and disturbed areas. It is an evergreen in the southern part of the state, but can be deciduous in northern Florida.
Mistflower
Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) gives the appearance of a blue fog when blooming en masse. Its flowers are very attractive to pollinators, especially butterflies, moths and long-tongued bees.
Coastalplain honeycombhead
Coastalplain honeycombhead (Balduina angustifolia) occurs in sandhills, scrub, dunes, and pine and scrubby flatwoods. Its showy, golden blooms attract a variety of butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Narrowleaf yellowtops
Narrowleaf yellowtops (Flaveria linearis) produces many bright yellow flowers that are attractive to a plethora of butterflies, bees and flower beetles.
Scaleleaf aster
Scaleleaf aster (Symphyotrichum adnatum) is hardly noticeable when not in bloom. But in late fall and early winter, its copious periwinkle blooms make for a showy display.
Georgia aster
Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum) is a magnet for bees and butterflies. Its flowers are distinguishable from other Symphyotrichum species by their relatively large size and deep violet-colored ray petals.
Florida tickseed
Florida tickseed (Coreopsis floridana) is one of 12 Coreopsis species native to Florida. It is endemic to the state and occurs naturally in wet pinelands and prairies, cypress swamp edges and roadside ditches. It typically blooms from late summer into early winter, but may bloom year-round. Its bright sunny flowers attract a variety of pollinators, especially butterflies.
Hartwrightia
Hartwrightia (Hartwrightia floridana) is an uncommon inconspicuous wildflower found in only 10 Florida and five Georgia counties. It is a state-listed threatened species in both states, where habitat loss and fire suppression imperil it. The plant occurs in seepage slopes, depressions, marsh edges and wet pine flatwoods and prairies. Its pastel flowers bloom in late summer and fall. Pollination has not been studied specifically in Hartwrightia, but it is presumed its flowers are pollinated by the same variety of insects that pollinate other Asteraceae species.
Florida false sunflower
Florida false sunflower (Phoebanthus grandiflorus) is a showy wildflower found in sandhills and pine and scrubby flatwoods. It is endemic to 26 counties in Florida. The plant blooms spring through fall, peaking in summer. Its vibrant flowers attract pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. Birds eat its seeds.
Hairy chaffhead
Hairy chaffhead (Carphephorus paniculatus) is a stunning perennial wildflower found in moist flatwoods and savannas. It typically blooms from late August through December, with peak flowering in October.
Flaxleaf aster
Flaxleaf aster (Ionactis linariifolia) occurs in sandhill and pine flatwoods communities of Florida’s Panhandle. Its flowers attract a variety of pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies.
Maryland goldenaster
Maryland goldenaster (Chrysopsis mariana) found in pinelands, sandhills and sandy roadsides. Native butterflies, as well as a variety of native long-tongued bees are attracted to the plant’s nectar.
Softhair coneflower
Softhair coneflower (Rudbeckia mollis) is a robust plant with bright yellow blooms that provide spring and summer color to sandhills, dry open hammocks and roadsides in North and Central Florida
Seaside goldenrod
Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens ) blooms in showy masses on dunes, in swales and brackish marshes, on sandy soils in coastal areas, and occasionally inland throughout the state.
Common sneezeweed
Common sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is an herbaceous perennial with cheerful yellow flowers. It typically blooms spring through fall, attracting moths, butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects.
Soft greeneyes
Soft greeneyes (Berlandiera pumila) is found in sandhills and pinelands throughout the Panhandle and north Florida. It blooms spring through summer, attracting a variety of butterflies, bees and wasps.
Snow squarestem
Also known as Cat’s tongue, Salt and pepper and Nonpareil, Snow squarestem (Melanthera nivea) typically blooms summer through early winter, but can bloom year-round, attracting bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Rose-rush
Rose-rush (Lygodesmia aphylla) is a striking perennial wildflower that occurs naturally in sandy flatwoods, scrub, sandhills and pine barrens throughout most of Florida.
Beggarticks
Beggarticks (Bidens alba) is perhaps one of Florida’s most controversial wildflowers both for its weedy aggression in home gardens and its questionable native status. However, it also has positive attributes.
Frostweed
Frostweed (Verbesina virginica) typically flowers late summer through fall along moist forest and hammock edges throughout the state. It is attractive to many bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Hammock snakeroot
Hammock snakeroot ( Ageratina jucunda) is a low-growing shrub found in pine flatwoods, sandhills, hammocks, upland mixed woodlands, and along roadsides and stream banks throughout Florida’s peninsula and Eastern Panhandle.
Stokes’ aster
Stokes’ aster (Stokesia laevis) typically blooms in spring and summer, but may bloom throughout the year, attracting a variety of bees, wasps and butterflies.
Purple thistle
Purple thistle (Cirsium horridulum) is a larval host for the Little metalmark and Painted lady butterflies. The seeds are an important food source for seed-eating birds.
Lanceleaf blanketflower
Lanceleaf blanketflower (Gaillardia aestivalis) is a short-lived perennial wildflower with compound, solitary blooms. It typically blooms in summer through early fall and attracts a variety of pollinators.
Whitetop aster
Also known as Dixie aster, Whitetop aster (Sericocarpus tortifolius) is a perennial wildflower found in sandhills, pine flatwoods, upland mixed woodlands and forest margins throughout Florida. It blooms summer through fall and attracts many butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Sweetscent
Sweetscent (Pluchea odorata) has rosy pink blooms that appear summer through fall. Its sweet-smelling leaves and flowers are very attractive to butterflies and bees.
Giant ironweed
Giant ironweed (Vernonia gigantea) is a robust perennial wildflower that blooms in summer and fall, with peak blooming in July. It attracts many pollinators, particularly butterflies.
Southeastern sneezeweed
Southeastern sneezeweed (Helenium pinnatifidum) is a sunny spring bloomer. It occurs naturally in wet flatwoods and roadside ditches, and along marsh and swamp edges throughout Florida.
Smallfruit beggarticks
Smallfruit beggarticks (Bidens mitis) blooms year-round in wet prairies and along fresh and brackish marsh edges throughout much of Florida. The bright yellow flowers attract many bees and butterflies.
Rice button aster
Rice button aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum) is a profuse bloomer with small flowers that attract a plethora of pollinators including butterflies and native bees.
Bushy seaside oxeye
Bushy seaside oxeye (Borrichia frutescens) blooms year-round, keeping our coastline in color and attracting butterflies and other pollinators. Its seeds provide food for birds and other small wildlife.
Barbara’s buttons
No one knows who Barbara is, but we can surely admire her buttons! Barbara’s buttons (Marshallia graminifolia) is a fragrant wildflower with showy blooms that have a tassled, button-like appearance.
Hairy leafcup
Hairy leafcup (Smallanthus uvedalia) blooms in summer and attracts a variety of bees and other pollinators. It occurs naturally in hardwood and slope forests, upland mixed woodlands, and moist hammocks.
Lanceleaf tickseed
Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata ) has conspicuously sunny flowers that typically bloom in spring. It attracts butterflies and other pollinators, and its seeds are eaten by birds and small wildlife.
Coastalplain goldenaster
Coastalplain goldenaster (Chrysopsis scabrella) occurs naturally in sandhills, scrub, flatwoods and ruderal areas. It typically blooms from late summer into late fall but can bloom year-round.
Elliott’s aster
Elliott’s aster (Symphyotrichum elliottii) is a perennial wildflower and wonderful plant for attracting butterflies, bees and other pollinators due to its many fragrant blooms.
Rayless sunflower
Rayless sunflower (Helianthus radula) is a unique member of the Helianthus genus—its ray florets are almost entirely absent. It blooms late spring through fall and attracts a variety of pollinators.
Florida paintbrush
Florida paintbrush (Carphephorus corymbosus) blooms from mid-summer into fall, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. It occurs naturally in sandhills, pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, mesic flatwoods and ruderal areas.
Thistleleaf aster
Thistleleaf aster (Eurybia eryngiifolia) is an herbaceous perennial wildflower. Its fairly large flowers bloom late spring through fall and are loved by many bees and butterflies.
Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) typically blooms in spring through fall. It is pollinated by a variety of insects, and its seeds are eaten by seed-eating birds.
Grassleaf coneflower
Grassleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia graminifolia) has brick-red solitary flowers that bloom in summer. They are distinctly different than most Rudbeckia species. The plant is endemic to Florida.
Greeneyes
Florida greeneyes (Berlandiera subacaulis) is an endemic wildflower found in Florida’s sandhills, pine flatwoods, mixed upland forests, and along dry roadsides. Their bright yellow flowers bloom in spring, attracting a variety of pollinators.
Narrowleaf sunflower
Narrowleaf sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) is one of Florida’s most common native sunflowers. In nature, it forms dense colonies, resulting in spectacular swaths of sunshine yellow when in bloom.
Narrowleaf silkgrass
Narrowleaf silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia) blooms late summer through early winter in sandhill, flatwoods and scrub habitats throughout the state. It has brilliant yellow flowers and silvery leaves.
Dune sunflower
Dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis) occurs naturally along the coast. Its bright flowers attract a variety of pollinators, its dense growth pattern provides cover for many small animals and birds enjoy its seeds.
Purple coneflower
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has striking blooms that attract a variety of butterflies, bees and even hummingbirds. Its seeds are eaten by birds and other wildlife.
Blanketflower
Blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella) is an herbaceous wildflower whose brightly colored flowers attract a variety of pollinators. It typically blooms from spring into fall, but may bloom year-round.
Starry rosinweed
Starry rosinweed (Silphium asteriscus) is a robust perennial with showy yellow blooms. It occurs naturally in flatwoods, sandy pinelands and disturbed areas and attracts a variety of pollinators.
Butterweed
Butterweed (Packera glabella) is one of the first wildflowers to bloom in early spring. It grows in dense stands that illuminate moist roadsides and river edges.