Astrantia major
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| Species: | A. major
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Astrantia major, common name great masterwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to central and eastern Europe. Growing to 90 cm (35 in) tall by 45 cm (18 in) broad, it is an herbaceous perennial, much used in gardens.
Etymology
The specific epithet major, meaning "larger", distinguishes this species from its smaller relative Astrantia minor.[1]
Description
Astrantia major reaches on average 60 centimetres (24 in) of height. The stem is erect and glabrous, with little branches and few leaves. The basal leaves have a long petiole 10–20 centimetres (3.9–7.9 in), 3 to 7 lobes and toothed segments. Size: 8–15 centimetres (3.1–5.9 in). The cauline leaves are generally two, sessile, amplexicaul and lanceolate-shaped with a trilobed apex. The inflorescence is umbrella-shaped, with 2–3 centimetres (0.79–1.18 in) of diameter. The floral bracts are numerous (10 - 20), 10–18 millimetres (0.39–0.71 in) long, reddish (sometimes white) with acuminate apex. The small flowers are greenish-white with reddish shades. The central ones are hermaphrodite, while the external ones are male. The petals are five, white (or slightly reddened), while the stamens are five and much longer. Size of the flowers: about 1 mm. The flowering period extends from June through September.
Reproduction
Astrantia major is an entomophilous plant, mainly pollinated by beetles, but also by other insects. This perennial plant reproduces itself also by means of buds present at the ground level.
Distribution
These plants native of Europe and Western Asia are widespread in southern Europe (Pyrenees, Carpathians and Balkans), but also in the Caucasus up to Anatolia. They have been introduced into the British Isles and are well established in various localities. It has been in the British Isles since the 16th Century. It has also naturalized in Shropshire near Stokesay Castle.[2]
Habitat
They are common in mountain meadows and grasslands, in forests and clearings and close to the streams, usually on calcareous soils, at an altitude of 100–2,300 metres (330–7,550 ft) above sea level.
Subspecies
- Astrantia major L. subsp. carinthiaca (Hoppe) Arcang. : Larger umbels (4–5 cm in diameter) widespread mainly in the eastern Alps.
- Astrantia major var. involucrata Koch
- Astrantia major L. subsp. elatior (Frivaldsky) Maly: bracts with 5 nerves and with notched apex; teeth of the calyx are very long; widespread in the Apennines.
- Astrantia caucasica Auct. Fl.Ital non Sprengel
- Astrantia major L. subsp. major
Cultivation
Many strains of Astrantia major grow well in the garden, given some shade and moisture. Their flowerheads provide summer colour in shades of red, pink and white. The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-
- A. major subsp. involucrata 'Shaggy' ('Margery Fish')[3]
- 'Sunningdale Variegated'[4]
Other cultivars include:-
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Gallery
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Close-up on a flowers of Astrantia major -
Close-up on flowers of Astrantia major -
Astrantia major var. Star of Beauty -
Leaf of Astrantia major
References
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
- ^ Lloyd, Christopher (1967). Hardy Perennials. Letchworth: Garden City Press. p. 67.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Astrantia major subsp. involucrata 'Shaggy'". Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Astrantia major 'Sunningdale Variegated'". Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ^ a b The Horticulture Gardener's Guides - Perennials. p. 2.
- Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia (3 voll.) - Edagricole – 1982
- Tutin, T.G. et al. - Flora Europaea, second edition - 1993
- Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C., 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore
External links
