The Composites or Asteraceae are the largest group of flowers found
in the
world with over 10 000 species.
They occur in all habitats and are also the most numerous of flowering plants found in the high altitude paramo regions.
Most of the flowers grow close to the ground to be protected from the
cold wind and fog and their root system penetrates deep into the
peat soil to extract scarce
nutrients.
Only in more sheltered areas do they grow on elongated stems.
