Astrantia

Astrantia is a genus of herbaceous plants in the family Apiaceae, endemic to Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and the Caucasus. There are 8 or 9 species, which have aromatic roots, palmate leaves, and decorative flowers. They are commonly known as great masterwort or masterwort which may also refer to other plants, particularly the unrelated Peucedanum ostruthium.

Astrantia
Astrantia major
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Apiales
Family:
Apiaceae
Genus:
Astrantia

Species

including:

Taxonomy

The genus name derived from the Latin 'aster' meaning star and this refers to the open star-shaped floral bracts of the plant.[1]

Species

Common names

The astrantia has many common garden names including melancholy gentleman, masterwort and Hattie's pincushion.[8][9]

Herbal usage

The stems and rhizomes of the Astrantia can be used for medicinal purposes. They provide an essential oil that can be used as a stomachic. The dried leaves of the plant can be used in herbal medicines as an infusion to help with digestion and help stimulate appetite.[10]

Cultivation

Many strains of Astrantia have been selected for their value in the garden, where they grow well if given reasonable soil, some shade and moisture. Their unusual pincushion flowerheads provide summer colour in shades of red, pink and white. A. maxima 'Largest masterwort' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[1][11]

Rubra variety

A number of garden varieties have red flowers, e.g. A. carniolica 'Rubra'.[12]

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References
  1. Boris Lariushin Apiaceae Family: Volume 2, p. 25, at Google Books
  2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility: A. bavarica Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Global Biodiversity Information Facility: A. carniolica Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "GRIN Species Records of Astrantia". ars-grin.gov (Germplasm Resources Information Network). Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  5. Global Biodiversity Information Facility: A. major Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Global Biodiversity Information Facility: A. maxima Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  7. Global Biodiversity Information Facility: A. minor Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  8. Klein, Carol (15 May 2004). "How to grow: Astrantia 'Shaggy'". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  9. Margery Fish Garden Flowers&pg=PA46 1R2_CAAAQBAJ, p. 46, at Google Books
  10. Panda, H. Handbook on Medicinal Herbs with Uses, p. 163, at Google Books
  11. "Astrantia maxima". rhs.org.uk.
  12. "Astrantia carniolica 'Rubra'". rhs.org.uk. 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.

Sources
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