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Aster amellus - L.

Ialian Aster

Author	L.	Botanical references	50, 200
Family	Compositae	Genus	Aster
Synonyms	Aster amelloides - Besser. Aster trinervius - Roxb.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	Europe to E. Asia.
Habitat	Scrub and wood margins.[50] Marshy places and lake sides[178], mainly on limestone soils[200].
Edibility Rating	2 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.7m by 0.5m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves.

Leaves and young plants - cooked[177]. Only certain varieties (not specified in the report) are used[177]. A nutritional analysis is available[218].

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Leaves (Dry weight)

• 305 Calories per 100g
• Water: 0%
• Protein: 32.8g; Fat: 5.5g; Carbohydrate: 50g; Fibre: 8.6g; Ash: 11.7g;
• Minerals - Calcium: 328mg; Phosphorus: 594mg; Iron: 31mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 4164mg; Zinc: 0mg;
• Vitamins - A: 26mg; Thiamine (B1): 1.41mg; Riboflavin (B2): 2.81mg; Niacin: 8.59mg; B6: 0mg; C: 688mg;
• Reference: []
• Notes: 

Medicinal Uses

Antiinflammatory; Antitussive; Depurative; Haemostatic; Pectoral.

The roots are anti-inflammatory, antitussive, depurative, haemostatic and pectoral[61, 147].They are used in the treatment of coughs, pulmonary affections and malaria[240]. The root juice is used internally in Nepal to treat indigestion and externally to treat boils[272].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most good garden soils[1], preferring one that is well-drained and moisture retentive[200]. Tolerates poorer soils[233]. Prefers a sunny position[200] but also succeeds in part shade[233]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[187]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named varieties[233]. A polymorphic species[50], it hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

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[134]. The seed usually germinates in 2 weeks at 20°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[200].

Cultivars

There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

Links

Permaculture.info Details of this plant in the Permaculture.info project, a community plant and permaculture database.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[134] Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.

[147] ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press 0 ISBN 0-914294-92-X
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 0
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[272] Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.

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