Aster tataricus

Aster tataricus, also called Tatarian aster and Tatarinow's aster,^[1][2] is a member of the Aster genus of flowering plants.

Aster tataricus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Aster
Species:	A. tataricus
Binomial name
Aster tataricus L. f.[1]

Distribution

The species is native to Asia^[3], with its occurrence ranging from South Siberia to China to Japan. Additionally, it has been introduced into Germany and multiple states of the Eastern United States, such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Alabama and Georgia.^[3]

Uses

Culinary

Known as gaemichwi (개미취) in Korean, the plant is considered a chwinamul (edible Aster) variety used in Korean cuisine.

Medicinal

It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs of traditional Chinese medicine, where it has the name zǐwǎn (Chinese: 紫菀). It has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Shigella dysenteriae, B. typhi, Pseudomonas and Vibrio proteus.^{[4][citation needed]}

In culture

In Japan, Aster tataricus is known as shion, or 紫苑. The flower has a meaning in hanakotoba, the Japanese language of flowers, which corresponds to "I won't forget you."^[5]