Ray floret

A ray floret is a flower whose corolla has a conspicuous extended, strap-like limb, typically projecting from the edge of an Asteraceae flower head. The apparent petal around a daisy-like head is therefore part of a whole floret. It is not a single petal belonging to one giant central flower. Depending on the species, ray florets may be female or sterile; their appearance alone does not establish fertility.^[ref]

Compare an intact head with a dissection: trace one outer ray to its own base, then inspect a central disc floret. The contrast is between two floral forms assembled into one inflorescence. Counting rays around the edge does not count the full complement of constituent flowers, because it misses the central units.

Shape, position and function answer different questions. A long corolla limb can contribute to the visual display of the flower head, while reproductive organs determine whether that particular floret can produce pollen or a fruit.