''Astrantia'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition of t ...

plants in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Apiaceae Apiaceae or Umbelliferae is a family of mostly aromatic flowering plants named after the type genus ''Apium'' and commonly known as the celery, carrot or parsley family, or simply as umbellifers. It is the 16th-largest family of flowering plants ...

, native to

Central Central is an adjective usually referring to being in the center of some place or (mathematical) object. Central may also refer to: Directions and generalised locations * Central Africa, a region in the centre of Africa continent, also known as ...

Eastern Eastern may refer to: Transportation *China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai *Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways *Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 1926 to 1991 *Eastern Air Li ...

and

Southern Europe Southern Europe is the southern regions of Europe, region of Europe. It is also known as Mediterranean Europe, as its geography is essentially marked by the Mediterranean Sea. Definitions of Southern Europe include some or all of these countrie ...

and the

Caucasus The Caucasus () or Caucasia (), is a region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, mainly comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia. The Caucasus Mountains, including the Greater Caucasus range, have historically ...

. There are several species, which have aromatic roots,

palmate The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular o ...

leaves, and decorative flowers. They are commonly known as great masterwort or

masterwort Masterwort is a common name for several plants in the family Apiaceae and may refer to: *''Astrantia'', a genus with several plant species cultivated as ornamentals *'' Heracleum'', a genus of plants known for their phototoxic effects *''Peucedanum ...

which may also refer to other plants, particularly the unrelated ''

Peucedanum ostruthium ''Peucedanum ostruthium'' or ''Imperatoria ostruthium'', masterwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae. It is native to the mountains of Central and Southern Europe, but has been widely introduced outside its native range. ...

''.

Etymology

The genus name derived from the Latin '

aster Aster or ASTER may refer to: Biology * ''Aster'' (genus), a genus of flowering plants ** List of ''Aster'' synonyms, other genera formerly included in ''Aster'' and still called asters in English * Aster (cell biology), a cellular structure shap ...

' meaning star and this refers to the open star-shaped floral bracts of the plant.Boris Lariushin

Species

Plants of the World Online Plants of the World Online (POWO) is an online database published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It was launched in March 2017 with the ultimate aim being "to enable users to access information on all the world's known seed-bearing plants by ...

accepted 10 species, while GRIN Taxonomy listed only five species (marked "G" below). *''

Astrantia bavarica ''Astrantia bavarica'', common name masterwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to Eastern alps. Growing to tall by broad, it is an herbaceous perennial, much used in gardens. Etymology The specific epithet '' ...

'' F.W.Schultz *''

Astrantia carniolica ''Astrantia carniolica'', the carnic masterwort or red masterwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae. It has long reddish (or white) flowers. Description ''Astrantia carniolica'' reaches on average less than of height. The ...

'' Wulfen (G) *''

Astrantia colchica ''Astrantia'' is a genus of herbaceous plants in the family Apiaceae, native to Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and the Caucasus. There are several species, which have aromatic roots, palmate leaves, and decorative flowers. They are comm ...

'' Albov (G) *''

Astrantia major ''Astrantia major'', the great masterwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to central and eastern Europe. Growing up to tall by broad, it is an herbaceous perennial, much used in gardens. Etymology The Latin s ...

'' L. (G) *''

Astrantia maxima ''Astrantia maxima'', (largest masterwort), is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae. Growing to tall by broad, it is an herbaceous perennial, used in gardens. It is hardy to USDA Zone: 4-9. It has gained the Royal Horticultura ...

'' Pall. (G) *''

Astrantia minor ''Astrantia minor'', the lesser masterwort, is a species of herbaceous plant belonging to the family of Apiaceae. It is native within Europe, to the countries of France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. It is clump-forming herbaceous perennial. Des ...

'' L. (G) *''

Astrantia ossica ''Astrantia'' is a genus of herbaceous plants in the family Apiaceae, native to Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and the Caucasus. There are several species, which have aromatic roots, palmate leaves, and decorative flowers. They are comm ...

'' Woronow ex Grossh. *''

Astrantia pauciflora ''Astrantia'' is a genus of herbaceous plants in the family Apiaceae, native to Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and the Caucasus. There are several species, which have aromatic roots, palmate leaves, and decorative flowers. They are comm ...

'' Bertol. *''

Astrantia pontica ''Astrantia'' is a genus of herbaceous plants in the family Apiaceae, native to Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and the Caucasus. There are several species, which have aromatic roots, palmate leaves, and decorative flowers. They are comm ...

'' Albov *''

Astrantia trifida ''Astrantia'' is a genus of herbaceous plants in the family Apiaceae, native to Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and the Caucasus. There are several species, which have aromatic roots, palmate leaves, and decorative flowers. They are comm ...

'' Hoffm.

Common names

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

Herbal usage

The stems and

rhizome In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...

s of the Astrantia can be used for medicinal purposes. They provide an essential oil that can be used as a

stomachic Stomachic is a historic term for a medicine that serves to tone the stomach, improving its function and increase appetite. While many herbal remedies claim stomachic effects, modern pharmacology does not have an equivalent term for this type of ...

. The dried leaves of the plant can be used in herbal medicines as an infusion to help with digestion and help stimulate appetite.

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 The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (Nort ...

Award of Garden Merit The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions. History The Award of Garden Merit ...

Masterwort, Northernhay Gardens, Exeter - geograph

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

References

Sources

Global Biodiversity Information Facility: Astrantia
{{Taxonbar, from=Q158975 Apiaceae genera Apiaceae Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus