''Astrantia'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

of herbaceous plants in the

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

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 plan ...

, native to Central,

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 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 countries and regions: Alba ...

and the

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

. There are several 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 ''Peucedanum ostruthium'' or ''Imperatoria ostruthium'', masterwort, is a species of flowering plant in the Family (biology), family Apiaceae. It is native to the mountains of Central and Southern Europe, but has been widely introduced outside ...

''.

Etymology

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

Species

, Plants of the World Online 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'' 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'' L. (G) *'' Astrantia maxima'' Pall. (G) *'' Astrantia minor'' L. (G) *'' Astrantia ossica'' Woronow ex Grossh. *'' Astrantia pauciflora'' Bertol. *'' Astrantia pontica'' 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 rhizomes 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 (Nor ...

's 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