Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Please explain the difference between asteracae and compositae.
QUESTION:
Please explain the difference between asteracae and compositae.
ANSWER:
I believe they are synonyms for the same plant family.
QUESTION:
Are plants categorized into the plant families by physical appearance or
by chemical properties or, is physical appearance an indication of
chemical properties?
ANSWER:
By physical appearance and structure, especially (but not exclusively) according
to reproductive structures and life cycles.
QUESTION:
Do plants in the same plant family share the same chemical properties?
ANSWER:
Often there are similar if not the same chemicals in members of the same family.
But non-volatile chemicals are probably not the cause of your allergies. The nasty
IgE-mediated sneezes are usually caused by more complex antigens such as the
proteins in pollen, which are often different between members of the same family
or even genus. It is a rather unpredictable business, that has something to do
with when you were first exposed, your age, your specific immune system, etc. I
find immunology incredibly confusing. It is a good thing I am not a doctor, just a
lowly nutritionist!