Astilbe
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Astilbe
Astilbe arendsii in flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Saxifragales Family: Saxifragaceae Genus: Astilbe Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don
Species
See text.

Astilbe is a genus of 18 species perennial, herbaceous flowering plants, within the family Saxifragaceae. Some species are commonly known as False Goat's Beard, and False Spirea. Astilbe species are native to Asia and North America.

They are cultivated by gardeners as hardy herbaceous perennials, for their large handsome, often fern-like foliage, and dense, feathery plumes of flowers. They require a peaty soil for their successful cultivation. Numerous hybrids have been raised. Astilbe is a tall feathery flowered plant popular as a pond side feature.

Species

Species of Astilbe include:

• Astilbe biternata (Vent.) Britt.
• Astilbe chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. & Sav.
• Astilbe crispa (Arends) Bergmans
• Astilbe grandis Stapf ex E. H. Wilson
• Astilbe japonica (C.Morren & Decne.) A.Gray
• Astilbe longicarpa (Hayata) Hayata
• Astilbe macroflora Hayata
• Astilbe microphylla Knoll
  • Astilbe microphylla var. riparia Hatus.
• Astilbe platyphylla H. Boiss.
• Astilbe rivularis Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don
  • Astilbe rivularis var. angustifoliolata H. Hara
  • Astilbe rivularis var. myriantha (Diels) J. T. Pan
• Astilbe rubra Hook. f. & Thomson
• Astilbe sikokumontana Koidz.
• Astilbe simplicifolia Makino
• Astilbe thunbergii (Siebold & Zucc.) Miq.
  • Astilbe thunbergii var. congesta H. Boissieu
  • Astilbe thunbergii var. fujisanensis (Nakai) Ohwi
  • Astilbe thunbergii var. hachijoensis (Nakai) Ohwi
  • Astilbe thunbergii var. kiusiana Hara
  • Astilbe thunbergii var. longipedicellata Hatus.
  • Astilbe thunbergii var. okuyamae (Hara) Ohwi
  • Astilbe thunbergii var. shikokiana (Nakai) Ohwi
  • Astilbe thunbergii var. terrestris (Nakai) Ohwi

Cultivar Groups

Commonly accepted cultivar groups are:

• Astilbe Arendsii Group
• Astilbe Crispa Group
• Astilbe Japonica Group
• Astilbe Simplicifolia Group

References

• Flora of China: Astilbe http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=102968
• Svenskt kulturväxtlexikon http://skud.ngb.se/
• The plants database http://plants.usda.gov/

Other websites

• http://www.youngamericangrowers.com/app/our_plants.asp Astilbe History, Culture, Landscape Use, Pests
• http://www.youngamericangrowers.com/app/order_search.asp Photos

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