Asteraceae (Bercht. & Presl 1820) It is one of the largest families, with over 20,000 species. It is characterized by having inflorescences composed of numerous flowers surrounded by bracts. They typically exhibit herbaceous or shrubby habits. Some contain valuable essential oils of commercial importance. More Information Etymology: Also known as Compositae. It refers to the aster family, with the aster being the type genus of this family, and in Greek it means star, alluding to the shape of its flowers.Place of Origin: Widespread across all continents and in nearly all regions.