From either aster — star, referring to the starry appearance of the flowers, or from magisteriantia —Masterwort.

Perennial herbs with dark-coloured aromatic roots. Leaves palmately lobed or cut. Flower cluster a simple umbel, daisy-like, with large petal-like, green-veined bracts. Sterile flowers long-stalked. Fruit ovoid to oblong, prominently ridged and covered with scales.

Grown mainly as a border plant.

Seed or division.

Daisy-like flowers with large petal-like bracts.

8 species from C and S Europe and W Asia.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Apiaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.