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Masterwort
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Masterwort

Astrantia

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameMasterwort
DescriptionDistinctive perennial with star-shaped flower heads composed of tiny florets surrounded by prominent papery bracts that resemble a pincushion filled with decorative pins. The showy bracts come in shades of pink, white, cream, and red, creating a delicate star-like appearance. Popular cottage garden plant valued for its long-lasting blooms and excellent performance in shaded woodland settings.
FamilyApiaceae (Carrot Family)
GenusAstrantia
TribeSaniculeae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula⊕/% K5 C5 A(5+5) G(2-3)

Radial or slightly bilateral symmetry, 5 free sepals, 5 free petals, 10 stamens arranged in two whorls of 5 each, 2-3 fused carpels forming an inferior ovary typical of the Apiaceae family

Features
  • The name 'Masterwort' comes from its historical use as a master herb in medieval medicine, while 'Astrantia' derives from Latin 'aster' meaning star, referring to the star-shaped arrangement of bracts
  • Unique flower structure features a central dome of tiny florets encircled by a collar of petal-like bracts that are papery in texture and remain attractive for weeks, making them excellent for both fresh and dried arrangements
  • Herbaceous perennial plant that blooms from late spring through summer (May-September), with flowers held on wiry stems above mounds of deeply lobed, palmate foliage
  • Grows to 1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm) in height with similar spread. Long-lived perennial with lifespan of 10-15 years or more. Propagated by division in spring or autumn
  • Native to alpine meadows and woodland edges of Central and Eastern Europe, particularly the Alps, Carpathians, and Caucasus mountains at elevations of 1,000-2,500 meters
  • Thrives in partial to full shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens. Prefers consistently moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. More tolerant of shade than most flowering perennials
  • Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Deer and rabbit resistant due to slightly bitter foliage. Excellent cut flower with vase life of 7-10 days, and bracts dry beautifully for winter arrangements

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificAstrantia
English (Alternate)Pin Cushion, Melancholy Gentleman, Great Masterwort, Astrantia, Masterwort, and Hattie's Pincushion
HindiNo Direct Equivalent -मास्टरवॉर्ट (Masterwort), अष्ट्रान्तिया (Astrandhiya)
Tamilஅஸ்ட்ராண்டியா (Astraandiya)
Teluguఅస్ట్రాన్షియా (Astrantia), మాస్టర్ వర్ట్ (Masterwort), మెలన్కలీ గెంట్లమెన్ (Melancholy Gentleman)
MalayalamNo Direct Equivalent - അസ്ട്രാന്റിയ (Astrantiyya)
KannadaNo Direct Equivalent - ಅಸ್ಟ್ರಾಂಟಿಯಾ (Astrantia)
Sanskritअस्त्रन्ती (astrantī)
BengaliNo Direct Equivalent - অস্ট্রান্টিয়া (Astrāntiẏā)
FrenchGrande Astrance
RussianАстранция (Astrantsiya) or Звездовка (Zvezdovka).
SpanishAstrancia.
GermanGroße Sternendolde

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.