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Which Asteraceae plants are important food crops?
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Asteraceae
The flowering head of a sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is formed of yellow, petal-like ray flowers and a brown center of minute disk flowers.
Several members of the Asteraceae family are economically significant as food crops. These plants are utilized for their leaves, edible tubers, or seeds, which are processed into various products.
Key food crops in the Asteraceae family include:
- Lettuce: Considered the most important food crop within the family, this European cultigen is widely consumed as a vegetable.1
- Sunflower: A native of North America, the sunflower is a major commercial crop. Its seeds are consumed directly or processed into cooking and salad oils, while the plant is also used for silage and livestock feed.231
- Artichokes: These are commonly eaten as vegetables.21
- Jerusalem artichoke: This plant is cultivated specifically for its edible underground tubers.31
- Endive and Salsify: These are also commonly consumed as vegetables.2
- Safflower: The seeds of this plant are used to produce cooking oils.21
- Stevia: This plant is processed to create noncaloric sweeteners.2