masterwort

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masterwort

(ˈmɑːstəˌwɜːt)

(Plants) any of several herbs of the family Umbelliferae which were formerly used in medicine, esp Peucedanum ostruthium

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Noun

masterwort - any plant of the genus Astrantia

astrantia

herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests

genus Astrantia - a genus of Eurasian herbs of the family Umbelliferae with aromatic roots and palmate leaves and showy flowers

Astrantia major, greater masterwort - European herb with aromatic roots and leaves in a basal tuft and showy compound umbels of white to rosy flowers

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What does it do: During the Hundred Years War between England and France Swiss troops carried phials of Masterwort juice that they named Magistrantian and applied it to all open wounds.

Plant of the Week: Plant once popular as asthma treatment almost scavenged to extinction

Masterwort (Astrantia major) is another beautiful but underused perennial in the carrot family that thrives in partial shade.

Gardens benefit from generous amounts of these herbs

They've stood the test of time, having been cultivated in Britain since the 16th century, and have been fondly labelled with names such as Hattie's pincushion, great masterwort and melancholy gentlemen.