Aster (genus)

Aster
Aster amellus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Astereae
Subtribe: Asterinae
Genus: Aster
L.
Type species
Aster amellus
Synonyms[2]
List
  • Asteromoea Blume
  • Bellidastrum Scop.
  • Bellidiaster Dumort.
  • Borkonstia Ignatov
  • Brachyaster Ambrosi
  • Chlamydites J.R.Drumm.
  • Gymnaster Kitam.
  • Hersilea Klotzsch
  • Heterochaeta DC.
  • × Heterokalimeris Kitam.
  • Heteropappus Less.
  • Hisutsua DC.
  • Homostylium Nees
  • Kalimares Raf.
  • Kalimeris (Cass.) Cass.
  • Kitamuraea Rauschert
  • Kitamuraster Soják
  • Kitamuria G.L.Nesom
  • Krylovia Schischk.
  • Leptocoma Less.
  • Margarita Gaudin
  • Martinia Vaniot
  • Metamyriactis G.L.Nesom
  • Miyamayomena Kitam.
  • Rhinactina Less.
  • Rhinactinidia Novopokr.
  • Rhynchospermum Reinw.
  • Sinobouffordia G.L.Nesom
  • Wardaster J.Small
  • Yonglingia G.L.Nesom
  • Zollingeria Sch.Bip.

Aster is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Its circumscription has been narrowed, and it now encompasses around 170 species, all but one of which are restricted to Eurasia; many species formerly in Aster are now in other genera of the tribe Astereae. Aster amellus is the type species of the genus and the family Asteraceae.[1]

The name Aster comes from the Ancient Greek word ἀστήρ (astḗr), meaning "star", referring to the shape of the flower head. Many species and a variety of hybrids and varieties are popular as garden plants because of their attractive and colourful flowers. 'Aster' species are used as food plants by the larvae of a number of Lepidoptera species—see list of Lepidoptera that feed on Aster. Asters can grow in all hardiness zones.

  1. ^ a b Elizabeth Pennissi (2001). "Linnaeus's last stand?". Science. 291 (5512): 2304–2307. doi:10.1126/science.291.5512.2304. PMID 11269295. S2CID 83724152.
  2. ^ "Aster L." Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.