Generic delimitation in Astereae has long been a source of disagreement among botanists. The ways in which they treat the large and diverse genus Aster usually reflect their philosophy on generic concepts, and although there are many variations, in general there have historically been two schools of thought. The first approach maintains a very inclusive generic concept of a large genus Aster, with subdivision of the genus into several subgenera. The second approach was to segregate many distinctive small genera from Aster, thus adopting a narrow generic concept As a result of new in-depth studies of phenotype features and, more recently, DNA sequences, combined with reasonably strict adherence to the tenets of phylogenetic systematics, the genus Aster is now much more narrowly and more naturally defined than before. Consequently many of the species, including this one, that were formerly accepted in a looser definition of that genus have now been transferred to several more narrowly defined genera.
Aster longicaulis (DC.) Dufour
Aster pannonicus Jacq.
Aster tripolium L.
Tripolium longicaule (DC.) Dufour
Tripolium vulgare Nees
Common Name: Sea Aster
Flowering stem of a vigorous plant
Photograph by: kallerna
Tripolium pannonicum is a somewhat succulent, annual to short-lived perennial plant producing one or more stout, erect to spreading stems 15 - 100cm tall from a short, swollen, suberect rhizome[
The plant is sometimres harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.
Widespread in coastal areas and saline areas inland from Europe through southwest and central Asia to Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea
Salt marshes and maritime cliffs[
]. Salt marshes, salt marsh meadows, moist meadows, open sandy areas, littoral, riversides; at elevations up to 2,500 metres[
|Pollinators||Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
Succeeds in most good garden soils[
], preferring one that is well-drained and moisture retentive[
]. Prefers a sunny position[
Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[
Leaves and stems - the somewhat fleshy leaves are used to make pickles or are cooked[
]. A sweet taste[
]. The stem contains about 8.4% ash, whilst the leaf is 9% ash - this is mainly sodium chloride[
The plant is ophthalmic[
Seed - surface sow in spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to become dry. Pre-chilling the seed for two weeks can improve germination rates[
]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks at 20°c[
]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.