Daisy family, comprising dicotyledonous flowering plants characterized by flowers borne in composite heads (see capitulum). It is the largest family of flowering plants, the majority being herbaceous. Birds seem to favor the family for use in nest “decoration”, possibly because many species either repel or kill insects (see pyrethrum). Species include the daisy and dandelion; food plants such as the artichoke, lettuce, and safflower; and the garden varieties of chrysanthemum, dahlia, and zinnia.

Plants with heads composed of many florets: aster; daisy; dandelion; goldenrod; marigold; lettuces; ragweed; sunflower; thistle; zinnia; Also called: family Compositae, Asteraceae, family Asteraceae, aster family.