Learn about the comparison between Orchidaceae and Asteraceae.

Comparison # Orchidaceae:

1. Habit-Plants terrestrial, often vinelike, mostly herbaceous, perennating by pseudo-bulbs; epiphytes, saprophytes or even parasites.

2. Stem-Stem with scattered vascular bundles.

3. Leaves-Simple, venation parallel.

4. Inflorescence-Solitary, raceme or spike.

5. Flower-Large, gaudy and of variable shape, trimerous, epigynous. All flowers irregular and zygomorphic.

6. Calyx-Well developed and coloured.

7. Corolla-Polypetalos.

8. Androecium-Stamens 3, one or two functional (though originally six) others reduced to staminodes, gynandrous, pollen forming pollinia.

9. Gynoecium-Pistil tricarpellary, syncarpous ovary inferior, twisted, unilocular, placentation marginal and parietal, ovules many.

Comparison # Asteraceae:

1. Habit-Herbs, erect, mostly terrestrial, annuals, autophytic.

2. Stem-Stem with vascular bundles in a ring.

3. Leaves-Simple, with reticulate venation.

4. Inflorescence-Capitulum.

5. Flower-Small, ray- and disc-florets, pentamerous, epigynous. Regular or irregular.

6. Calyx-Reduced forming pappus.

7. Corolla-Gamopetalous.

8. Androecium-Stamens 5, syngenesious, pollen powdery.

9. Gynoecium-Bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary inferior, 1-chambered, basal placentation, single ovule.

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