Astrantia maxima

Astrantia maxima reaches on average {{convert|90|cm}} of height. The stem is erect and glabrous, with little branches and few leaves. The basal leaves have a long petiole {{convert|10|-|20|cm}}, 3 to 7 lobes and toothed segments. Size: {{convert|8|-|15|cm}}. The cauline (borne on the stem as opposed to basal) leaves are generally two, sessile, amplexicaul and lanceolate-shaped with a trilobed apex. The inflorescence is umbrella-shaped, {{convert|2|-|3|cm}} in diameter. The floral bracts are numerous (10 - 20), {{convert|10|-|18|mm}} long, pinkish (sometimes white) with acuminate apex. The small flowers are pinkish-white. The central ones are hermaphrodite, while the external ones are male. The flowering period extends from May to July.

Astrantia maxima is an entomophilous plant, mainly pollinated by beetles, but also by other insects. This perennial plant reproduces itself also by means of buds present at the ground level.

The plant can also be grown from seed for garden usage. The seeds require a 2-3 month period of cold stratification for germination to take place.{{cite web|year=2014|title=How to Grow, Propagate and Care for Masterwort Plants

|url=http://www.thegardenhelper.com/masterwort.html|publisher=thegardenhelper.com|access-date=7 June 2014}}

It was found by botanist Peter Simon Pallas{{cite web|first=Peter Simon |last=von Pallas| title=Astrantia maxima |year=2011|url=http://encyclopaedia.alpinegardensociety.net/plants/Astrantia/maxima|publisher=alpinegardensociety.net|access-date=13 June 2014}} in 1790. It was first published and described by Pallas in 'Nova Acta Acad. Sci. Imp. Petrop. Hist. Acad.' Vol.7 on page 357 in 1793.{{cite web|title=Astrantia maxima Pall. is an accepted name|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2663983|date=23 March 2012|publisher=plantlist.org|access-date=19 January 2018}}{{cite web|title=Apiaceae Astrantia maxima Pall.|url=http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=838341-1|access-date=19 January 2018}}

It was also previously known as the 'hellebore-leaved masterwort'.Sims, John. {{Google books|7ydCAAAAIAAJ|Curtis's Botanical Magazine, Or, Flower-garden Displayed|page=1553}}

The specific epithet maxima, meaning "largest",{{cite book |last=Stearn |first=William |year=1972 |title=A Gardenerer's Dictionary of Plant Names |location=London |publisher=Cassell |page=211 |isbn=0304937215 }} distinguishes this species from its smaller relatives Astrantia minor and Astrantia major.

These plants, native to Europe, are widespread in the Caucasus. They have been grown in the British Isles since 1804.

In Turkey, they are common in woodlands and lush meadows, at an altitude of {{convert|1300|-|2400|m}} above sea level.{{cite web|first=Ayla|last=Kaya|year=2003| title=The genus Astrantia L. in Turkey: morphology and anatomy|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/5905 |publisher=hrcak.srce.hr|access-date=6 June 2014}}

Also common in Turkey is the subspecies Astrantia maxima Pallas subsp. haradjianii.{{cite web|first=Ali |last=Kandem |date=8 May 2007 |title=The Flora of Üzümlü -Sakaltutan (Erzincan-Gümüflhane) |publisher=Erzincan University |page=6 |url=http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/botany/issues/bot-08-32-4/bot-32-4-2-0705-4.pdf |access-date=13 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230639/http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/botany/issues/bot-08-32-4/bot-32-4-2-0705-4.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}

Astrantia maxima grows well in the garden, given some shade and moisture. Its flowerheads provide summer colour in shades of red, pink and white. It is also rabbit resistant.{{cite web|first=Claire|last=Austin|title=Astrantia maximaMasterwort|url=http://www.claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk/1133/astrantia-maxima-masterwort|publisher=claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025529/http://www.claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk/1133/astrantia-maxima-masterwort|url-status=dead}} It is rated for hardiness, USDA zones 5 to 9.{{cite web|first=Todd|last=Boland|date=19 December 2009|title=Masterful Masterworts

|url=http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2694/|publisher=davesgarden.com|access-date=9 June 2014}}

• Astrantia major 'Hadspen Blood' is a hybrid of Astrantia major and A. maxima.{{cite book|title=The Horticulture Gardener's Guides - Perennials|url={{Google books|taGxynmhi54C|The Horticulture Gardener's Guides - Perennials|page=2|plainurl=yes}}|page=2}}
• Astrantia maxima 'Mark Fenwick', listed on some nurseries and recently onto the RHS Catalogue.{{cite web|title=Astrantia maxima 'Mark Fenwick' |url=http://zipcodezoo.com/Plants/A/Astrantia_maxima__Mark_Fenwick_/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140607101427/http://zipcodezoo.com/Plants/A/Astrantia_maxima__Mark_Fenwick_/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 June 2014 |publisher=zipcodezoo.com |access-date=7 June 2014 }}
• Astrantia maxima 'Rosea', listed on some nurseries but not on RHS Catalogue.{{cite web|year=2002–2004|title=Astranita page |url=http://members.tripod.com/hatch_l/astr928.html|publisher=tripod.com|access-date=7 June 2014}}

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{{Commons category-inline|Astrantia maxima|Astrantia maxima}}

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Category:Apioideae

Category:Flora of Europe

Category:Plants described in 1793