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Pappus

Asteraceae florets lack a true calyx. The pappus is a calyx modified into a whorl or several series of often numerous hairs, bristles or scales. In some genera the pappus is a short cup or is lacking altogether. Do not confuse the pappus with bristles or scales borne on the receptacle (see the feature Receptacle surface). To see the pappus, it may be necessary to extract some florets from the head and examine them.

absent		of hairs or bristles Thick or thin, barbed, plumose or naked.		of scales Long or short.		a short cup Look carefully, a very short cup may be difficult to see.