This volume contains a complete systematic treatment of the
flowering plant order Asterales, comprising 12 families with
approx. 1,720 genera and about 26,300 species. The order includes
Compositae as the largest family of flowering plants. Based on
traditional studies, several of the constituent families have long
been recognized as being closely interrelated. The inclusion in the
order of Alseuosmiaceae, Argophyllaceae, Carpodetaceae,
Phellinaceae and Rousseaceae is the result mainly of new advances
in molecular systematics. Identification keys are provided for all
genera, and likely phylogenetic relationships are discussed
extensively. The wealth of information contained in this volume
makes it an indispensable source for all working in the fields of
pure and applied plant sciences.
