Distribution: Over 1,100 genera and perhaps as many as 20,000 spp.; cosmopolitan in distribution, but best represented in temperate or subtropical regions that are not densely forested. Many of the genera are poorly defined.
Divided into 2 subfamilies and about 13 tribes. Subfamily Cichorioideae(Liguliflorae) and subfamily Asteroideae(Tubuliflorae). Includes Helianthus or sunflowers.