Appearance
''Astrantia maxima'' reaches on average 90 centimetres of height. The stem is erect and glabrous, with little branches and few leaves. The basal leaves have a long petiole 10–20 centimetres , 3 to 7 lobes and toothed segments. Size: 8–15 centimetres . The cauline leaves are generally two, sessile, amplexicaul and lanceolate-shaped with a trilobed apex. The inflorescence is umbrella-shaped, with 2–3 centimetres of diameter. The floral bracts are numerous , 10–18 millimetres long, pinkish 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.
Naming
The specific epithet ''maxima'', meaning "largest",...hieroglyph snipped... distinguishes this species from its smaller relatives ''Astrantia minor'' and Astrantia major.Distribution
These plants native of Europe are widespread in the Caucasus. They have been introduced into the British Isles since 1804.Habitat
In Turkey, they are common in woodlands and lush meadows, at an altitude of 1,300–2,400 metres above sea level.Also common in Turkey is the subspecies ''Astrantia maxima Pallas subsp.
haradjianii''.
Reproduction
''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.
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