Astrantia
(from astron, a star, and anti, in composition signifying comparison; in reference to the appearance of the umbels of flowers). ORD. Umbelliferae. Ornamental, hardy, herbaceous perennials, natives of Europe and Caucasus. Universal umbels irregular, of few rays, surrounded by variable involucre; partial umbels regular, and containing many flowers, surrounded by many-leaved involucels. Radical leaves petiolate, palmately lobed; cauline ones few, sessile. Roots blackish. These are suited for borders, banks, and woodlands, growing well in any ordinary garden soil, but preferring a damp position. Easily increased by root divisions in autumn or spring.
A. carniolica (Carniolan).* fl. white. May. l. of involucre twelve or thirteen, quite entire, white, with a green line running along the middle of each, tinged with red; radical ones palmate; lobes five to seven, oblong, acuminated, unequally serrated. h. 6in. to 12in. Carniola, 1812. A pretty species.
A. helleborifolia (Hellebore-leaved).* fl. (and involucre) pink, pedicellate. June. l. of involucre twelve or thirteen, ovate-lanceolate, exceeding the umbel a little, bristly; radical ones palmate; lobes three, ovate-lanceolate, unequally serrated. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Eastern Caucasus, 1804. SYN. A. maxima. A. major (greater).* fl. pinkish, pedicellate. May. l. of involucre fifteen to twenty, linear-lanceolate, quite entire, hardly longer than the umbel; radical ones palmate; lobes five, ovate-lanceolate, acute, rather trifid, toothed. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Europe, 1596. Very distinct and ornamental.
A. maxima (greatest). Synonymous with A. helleborifolia.