Pienempisäteiset

Pienempisäteiset is a Finnish term that translates to "smaller-rayed" or "less-rayed" and is used in the context of classifying certain types of wildflowers, particularly within the Asteraceae family. This designation distinguishes them from their "larger-rayed" or "more-rayed" counterparts, often referred to as "isompisäteiset" in Finnish.

The distinction primarily relates to the ray florets, which are the petal-like structures that surround the central disc florets in many composite flowers. In species considered pienempisäteiset, these ray florets are either significantly smaller, fewer in number, or sometimes even absent altogether compared to other related species. This morphological difference can be a key characteristic for identifying and categorizing different plant species.

Examples of plants that might be broadly categorized under this description include certain species of hawkweeds (Hieracium) and dandelions (Taraxacum), though specific classifications can vary among botanists. The term is more commonly encountered in informal or regional botanical contexts rather than formal scientific taxonomy, serving as a descriptive aid for distinguishing similar-looking plants based on a readily observable feature. The presence and size of ray florets are influenced by evolutionary pressures and reproductive strategies, playing a role in attracting pollinators.