Callistephus

Asters varieties: Front unfilled inflorescence, back -filled inflorescences.

The Aster ( Callistephus chinensis) or Aster is the only species of the genus Callistephus in the sunflower family ( Asteraceae).

Another common name is of German Todt flower occupied for Bavaria the names.

Features

The Aster is an annual herbaceous plant that reaches the plant height of 10 to 90 centimeters. The stem is erect, branched and hairy rough. The leaves are ovate - rhombic sawn and rough, the lower ones stalked, the upper lanceolate to linear and sitting.

The bloom conditions are individually at the end of the stems. In the flower heads to tongue (ray flowers) and tubular flowers are ( disc florets ).

The flowering period extends from August to October.

Occurrence

The Aster occurs at the edges of deciduous forests in the Far East, Korea and Northeast China.

Use

The Aster is widely used as an ornamental plant for summer discounts, Beeteinfassungen and cottage gardens, as well as a cut flower. It is in culture at least since 1728. There are numerous varieties in about 9 groups of varieties:

• Margaret group: the flower heads are unfilled, the plants spread by self- seeding and run wild
• Pinocchio group: the plants are up to 20 centimeters high, the flower heads are filled, the ray florets are incurved
• Comet Group: the early-flowering plants are 15 to 25 centimeters high, the flower heads are filled
• Milady group: the plants are 20 to 30 centimeters high
• Ostrich feather group: the late-flowering plants are up to 60 centimeters high, the flower heads are filled and large
• Compliment group: the plants are up to 70 centimeters high, the flower heads are filled, the ray flowers are rolled
• Princess Group: the plants are 75 inches high, the crown of disc florets is long Roehrig
• Duchesse group: the plants are tall and 70 centimeters, the flower heads are pompon -shaped
• Pommax group: the plants are up to 70 centimeters high, the cups have a diameter of up to 12 centimeters, the ray florets are splayed

Documents

• Corner Hardt J. Hunter, Friedrich Ebel, Peter Hanelt, Gerd Müller K. (ed.): Rothmaler Exkursionsflora of Germany. Volume 5: Herbaceous ornamental and useful plants. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 2008, ISBN 978-3-8274-0918-8.