Astrantia maxima (Great masterwort) — Backlit, Ushguli, Georgia, 2019

HA-0026 · Backlit, Ushguli, Georgia, 08/2019, Julian Auch

HA-0027 · Backlit, Ushguli, Georgia, 08/2019, Julian Auch

Astrantia maxima (Great masterwort) — Pressed, Ushguli, Georgia, 2019

HA-0028 · Pressed, Ushguli, Georgia, 08/2019, Julian Auch

HA-0029 · Pressed, Ushguli, Georgia, 08/2019, Julian Auch

Great masterwortAstrantia maxima

Astrantia maxima, commonly known as giant masterwort, is a perennial wildflower native to the Caucasus region and northeastern Turkey. It is distinguished by its large, pincushion-like flower heads surrounded by broad, petal-like bracts in shades of soft pink to rose. The genus name Astrantia comes from the Latin for “star,” referring to the radiating form of the bracts around each bloom. Unlike many meadow flowers, Astrantia maxima thrives in cool, moist mountain habitats and has an elegant, almost ornamental appearance that made it prized in traditional cottage gardens long before modern horticulture.

Scientific Name

Astrantia maxima

Family

Apiaceae

Order

Apiales

Lifespan

Perennial

Blossom Color

Pink

Blossom Symmetry

Radial