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What is the role of involucral bracts around an Asteraceae flower head?
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Asterales
True, or English, daisy (Bellis perennis).
In the Asteraceae family, the flower headâa compact inflorescence that resembles a single flowerâis typically subtended by an involucre, which is a collection of small, modified leaves known as involucral bracts or phyllaries.12
The primary role of these bracts is to provide protection for the developing flower head. In some genera, such as Arctium (burdock) and Xanthium strumarium (cocklebur), these protective bracts are equipped with hooks. These hooks allow the entire flower head to attach to the fur of animals or human clothing, thereby serving as a mechanism for seed dispersal.3