Practical
Plants

Aster diplostephioides

a perennial member of the Aster genus in the family Compositae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Aster
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This plant is said to have medicinal properties, but no details were given in the report[3]. The flowers are used in Tibetan medicine, they are said to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency[6]. Antidote, febrifuge, haemostatic and tonic, they are used in the treatment of infectious fevers, influenza, nose bleeds, poisoning, sores from environmental poisoning and an inability to stretch or contract the limbs[6].

Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim
Habitat
Alpine pastures, 3000 - 3800 metres[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow in spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to become dry. Pre-chilling the seed for two weeks can improve germination rates[2]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks at 20°c[2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[4].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most good garden soils[1], preferring one that is well-drained and moisture retentive[4]. Prefers a sunny position[4]. A very ornamental plant[1], it grows well in a rock garden[1]. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[5]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  6. Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994-00-00 ISBN 81-900489-0-2

    ↩1↩2

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