ray flower

noun

1

: one of the marginal flowers of the head in a composite plant (such as the aster) that also has disk flowers

2

: the entire head in a plant (such as chicory) that lacks disk flowers

Examples of ray flower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Mesa Series includes Yellow, Peach, and Bicolor varieties, all with flat ray flowers that hold their color without fading. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 July 2024

Along the edges, each yellow petal corresponded to its own individual ray flower. —Marion Renault, The New Republic, 20 Dec. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ray flower

noun

: one of the flowers with long flat petals that grow on the outer edge of the head of a plant (as a daisy) of the composite family

compare disk flower