Appearance
''Astrantia major'' reaches on average 60 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, reddish with acuminate apex. The small flowers are greenish-white with reddish shades. The central ones are hermaphrodite, while the external ones are male. The petals are five, white , while the stamens are five and much longer. Size of the flowers: about 1 mm. The flowering period extends from June through September.
Naming
The specific epithet ''major'', meaning "larger", distinguishes this species from its smaller relative ''Astrantia minor''.* ''Astrantia major'' L. ''subsp. carinthiaca'' Arcang. : Larger umbels widespread mainly in the eastern Alps.⤷ ''Astrantia major var. involucrata'' Koch
⤷ ''Astrantia major'' L. ''subsp. elatior'' Maly: bracts with 5 nerves and with notched apex; teeth of the calyx are very long; widespread in the Apennines.
⤷ ''Astrantia caucasica'' Auct. Fl.Ital non Sprengel
⤷ ''Astrantia major'' L. subsp. ''major''
⤷ ''Astrantia major'' subsp. ''biebersteinii'' I.Grint.
Distribution
This plant is native to southern Europe , but also in the Caucasus up to Anatolia. It has been in the British Isles since the 16th Century. It has also naturalized in Shropshire near Stokesay Castle, and in Worcestershire.It is common in mountain meadows and grasslands, in forests and clearings and close to the streams, usually on calcareous soils, at an altitude of 100–2,300 metres above sea level.
Reproduction
''Astrantia major'' 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.References:
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