Astrantia
| Astrantia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Astrantia major | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Astrantia L. |
| Species | |
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including: | |
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.
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
- Astrantia bavarica F. W. Schultz [2]
- Astrantia biebersteinii Fisch. & C.A.Mey.
- Astrantia carniolica K. Koch (Jacq.) [3]
- Astrantia colchica Albov
- Astrantia helleborifolia Salisb.
- Astrantia macrolema (Boiss.) Koso-Pol.[4]
- Astrantia major L. [5]
- Astrantia maxima Pall. [6]
- Astrantia minor Vitman [7]
- Astrantia ossica Woronow ex Grossh.
- Astrantia pauciflora Bertol.
- Astrantia pontica Albov
- Astrantia trifida Hoffm.
Common names
The astrantia has many common garden names including melancholy gentleman, masterwort and Hattie's pincushion.[8]
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.[9]
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][10]
A number of garden varieties have red flowers, e.g. A. carniolica 'Rubra'.
References
- 1 2 Boris Lariushin Apiaceae Family: Volume 2, p. 25, at Google Books
- ↑ Global Biodiversity Information Facility: A. bavarica Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Global Biodiversity Information Facility: A. carniolica Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "GRIN Species Records of Astrantia". ars-grin.gov (Germplasm Resources Information Network). Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ↑ Global Biodiversity Information Facility: A. major Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Global Biodiversity Information Facility: A. maxima Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Global Biodiversity Information Facility: A. minor Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Klein, Carol (15 May 2004). "How to grow: Astrantia 'Shaggy'". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
- ↑ Panda, H. Handbook on Medicinal Herbs with Uses, p. 163, at Google Books
- ↑ "Astrantia maxima". rhs.org.uk.
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