Miyamayomena koraiensis

Miyamayomena koraiensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Astereae
Genus: Miyamayomena
Species: M. koraiensis
Binomial name
Miyamayomena koraiensis
(Nakai) Kitam.
Synonyms

Aster koraiensis Nakai

Miyamayomena koraiensis (Korean:벌개미취), commonly called Korean starwort, is a herbaceous perennial plant of the family Asteraceae (Compositae).[1] It can be found in temperate regions, mostly in Korea, in lawns, on roadsides, and other areas with moist soils. Korean starwort is a Korean endemic plant and was first named in the genus Aster in 1909. In Korea, its young leaves are used in food preparation,[2] and the roots are used as a medical herb for antibacterial treatment and against diabetes, asthma, and some cancers.[3]

Description

Aster koraiensis is a perennial herb. The height is about 50~60 cm. The leaves are green color, alternate, lanceolate and pinnately lobed.[4] They are 12~19 cm length and 1.5~3 cm width of leaves. The main stem grows from rhizome, a horizontal stem of plant that is found underground. The leaves on the roots, radical leaves, fall when flowers begin to open. Leaflike bracts can be found. The flower is bisexual and pale violet color and has an inflorescence head which diameter is about 4~5 cm (Only one flower per stem).[5] The involucre is 13 mm length, and 8 mm diameter and has four lines of involucral scale. The achene has about 4 mm length and 1.3 mm diameter and lanceolate shape. There is no pappus.[6] It blooms from June to September; the fruits (achenes) mature in November.[7]

Distribution

M. koraiensis originated in Korea and also is naturalized throughout Korea peninsula (South Korea and North Korea). It can be easily found anywhere in Korea (around flower gardens, roadsides, mountains, valley, etc.).[8]

Medicinal uses

M. koraiensis is known as a medical herb in East Asia. The roots are used to treat bacterial infection, asthma, phlegm, tussis, ascites, lung cancer, and hematemesis by lung cancer.[9]

Economic value

The characteristic of tenacious hold on life of M. koraiensis makes it possible for massive breeding. The roots are strong to hold on to the ground firmly, and easily grow in most environments, even in barren soil. It has ability to prevent soil runoff so that sometimes these flowers are planted on roadsides, and places where need erosion control.[10]

Origin of the name

In the name Aster koraiensis, 'Aster' means "star" in Greek, and 'koraiensis' means "from Korea". Due to the star shape of flower, it got this name.[11]

In Korea, M. koraiensis is called "Beolgaemichui". 'Beol' means bee in Korean so some people think the name "Beolgaemichui (벌개미취)" came from the belief that bees love this flower.

Language of flowers

In the language of flowers, sometimes called floriography, this flower means "I will never forget the memory, nostalgia, and you."[12]

References

  1. ↑ 벌개미취. Aster koraiensis from Naver Encyclopedia (in Korean).
  2. ↑ "벌개미취 나물 (A.koraiensis grocery)". How to make side dish from A.koraiensis in Korea (in Korean).
  3. ↑ "A. koraiensis in Korea". Medicinal uses by A. koraiensis (in Korean).
  4. ↑ "Aster koreaiensis NAKAI". Plants in Mountain (in Korean).
  5. ↑ "Aster koreaiensis Nakai". Plants Database (in Korean).
  6. ↑ "Endemic Plants in Korea". Plants Database (in Korean).
  7. ↑ 한국 벌개미취. A.koraiensis characteristics (in Korean).
  8. ↑ "Aster koraiensis Nakai in Kyunghee University" (in Korean).
  9. ↑ "Aster koraiensis" (in Korean).
  10. ↑ 벌개미취 자원 별개미취 효능 꽃. Plants in Summer (in Korean).
  11. ↑ 벌개미취. Our Mountains and plains (in Korean).
  12. ↑ "벌개미취 (A.koraiensis)". Fragrance of a flower (in Korean).
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