Aster tataricus
| Aster tataricus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 7' |
| Width: | 4' |
| Blooms: | Early Fall-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Aster tataricus (common name: tartarian aster)
Propagation: Seed - surface sow in spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to become dry. Pre-chilling the seed for two weeks can improve germination rates[1]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks at 20°c[1]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Basal cuttings in the spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn[2]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whist smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.
Cultivation: Succeeds in most good garden soils[3], preferring one that is well-drained and moisture retentive[2]. Prefers a sunny position[2], but also succeeds in partial shade[4].
Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[4].
Plants can suffer from mildew when growing in dry conditions[4].
This species is cultivated in China as a medicinal herb[4].
Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[5].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[2].
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Siberia.
Habitat: Subalpine meadows and wet places, C. and S. Japan[6][7]. Marshy areas in mountains[8].
Edibility: Young plant[9][10]. No more details are given.
Medicinal: This species has been used for at least 2,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine. The root contains triterpenes and triterpene saponins, and is a stimulant expectorant herb for the bronchial system, helping to clear infections[4][8]. It is antibacterial, antifungal, antitussive, expectorant and stimulant[11][12][4][8]. It has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, B. typhi, Pseudomonas and Vibrio Proteus[11]. The root is taken internally in the treatment of chronic bronchitis and tuberculosis and is often used raw with honey in order to increase the expectorant effect[11][4]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use[4].
The plant contains the triterpene epifriedelinol, which has shown anticancer activity, and is used as a folk cure for cancer[12][8].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, beetles, lepidoptera, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea. World Health Organisation, 1998.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.