Aster (syn. Diplopappus Cass.) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. The genus once contained nearly 600 species in Eurasia and North America, but after morphologic and molecular research on the genus during the 1990s, it was decided that the North American species are better treated in a series of other genera. After this split there are roughly 180 species within the genus, all but one being confined to Eurasia. The name Aster comes from the Ancient Greek word astron, meaning "star", arriving through the Latin word astrum with the same meaning, referring to the shape of the flower head. Many species and a variety of hybrids and varieties are popular as garden plants because of their attractive and colourful flowers. Aster species are used as food plants by the larvae of a number of Lepidoptera species - see list of Lepidoptera that feed on Aster. Asters can grow in all hardiness zones.
The genus Aster is now generally restricted to the Old World species, with Aster amellus being the type species of the genus, as well as of the family Asteraceae. The New World species have now been reclassified in the genera Almutaster, Canadanthus, Doellingeria, Eucephalus, Eurybia, Ionactis, Oligoneuron, Oreostemma, Sericocarpus and Symphyotrichum, though all are treated within the tribe Astereae. Regardless of the taxonomic change, all are still widely referred to as "asters" in the horticultural trades. See the List of Aster synonyms for more information.
In the UK there are only two native members of the genus of which one, Goldilocks is very rare, the other being the Sea aster, Aster tripolium
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Organic Giant Princess Aster - 100 Seeds - Callistephus |
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* Giant Aster Princess Callistephus chinensis 24-30 in. Hardy Annual One of our grower's very favorite for its long-lasting quality. This pretty pink, magenta, and purple aster produces many 2 1/2 in... |
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Incredible Hulk Aster 40 Seeds - UNBELIEVABLE - Annual |
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* One-of-a-Kind Beautiful! - These huge blooms are perfect for cutting! How's this for showy This amazing Aster sports giant blooms in an utterly unique color pattern: green and yellow! But the best part is that they're perfect for cutting -- long-lasting, sturdy, and lovely! If you appreciate full vases of flowers from the garden all summer long, Hulk is the Aster to rely on! The interesting thing about these blooms is that they have no petals -- the 2-inch yellow center is really the entire flower, surrounded by 3 more inches or so of green bracts that look like curled petals... |
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Aster Powder Puffs - 50 Seeds |
