Master-wort

Master-wort (Astrantia) - Umbelliferous plants, natives of the mountains of S. Europe. The most distinct are A. major and A. helleborifolia. A. helleborifolia is from the Caucasus, with the largest flower of any, the color clear pink; but the habit of the plant is straggling, and the flowers smell unpleasantly of sour milk. The Astrantias have a quaint beauty of their own; they are not showy, nor particular about soil or aspect. They are easily established in woodland walks where the growth of weeds is not too rank.