Practical
Plants

Astrantia major

Great Masterwort

a perennial member of the Astrantia genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.8 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Beetles, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Beetles, Insects

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.

A decoction of the root is purgative[3]. The root is harvested in summer to early autumn and can be dried for later use[3]. An infusion of the whole plant is a gentle diuretic[3].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Purgative

Environment

Range
C. and E. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Moist woodlands and the banks of streams[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as you can obtain it. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown in situ either as soon as it is ripe or in the following spring. Division in spring. Large clumps can be planted out straight into their permanent positions. Smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well and can then be planted out in the summer.

Cultivation

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

Prefers a fertile moisture-retentive soil[1]. Succeeds in most well-drained soils[2] in full sun or part shade[1][2]. Succeeds in an open woodland and along the sides of streams so long as the soil is well above the water level[1]. Plants are hardy to at least -17°c[1]. Plants spread by means of underground runners[2]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[1]. The flowers are sometimes dried and used for winter decoration[1].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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