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Masterwort
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Masterwort

Astrantia

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Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
Related

About Masterwort

NameMasterwort
Description

Distinctive 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.

For more botanical profiles and flower identification features, see our guides on Alpine Sea Holly and Artichoke.

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

Tip: Need to buy or identify flowers in regional markets? Check our complete South Indian Flower Names Guide mapping 30+ flowers across Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Toxicity & Safety

StatusNon Toxic

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.