Asetonilla

Asetonilla is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to the Americas. The genus is characterized by its small, annual herbs, typically growing to a height of 10-30 centimeters. Asetonilla species are known for their distinctive, daisy-like flowers, which are usually yellow or white and arranged in a flat-topped inflorescence.

The genus Asetonilla was first described by the French botanist Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck in 1786. The name is derived from the Greek words "aseton," meaning "vinegar," and "nilla," meaning "thread," in reference to the plant's vinegar-like scent and the thread-like structure of its inflorescence.

Asetonilla species are often used in landscaping and gardening due to their low maintenance requirements and attractive flowers. They are particularly well-suited to dry, rocky soils and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. Some common species include Asetonilla acaulis, Asetonilla acuminata, and Asetonilla linearis.

The genus Asetonilla is not closely related to the genus Aster, despite their similar appearance. Instead, Asetonilla is part of the tribe Heliantheae, which includes other genera such as Helianthella and Heliopsis. The tribe is characterized by its daisy-like flowers and is found primarily in the Americas.