Great Masterwort

Description:

The great masterwort produces about 50 to 70 cm tall flowering stems, sporting inflorescences of some 3-4cm in diameter. Bracts are the main attraction, they are numerous around the inflorescence, white or pink-white and about 10-12mm in length. Flowers are very small, greenish and carried on long reddish stems. Basal leaves are palmate, and have 5-7 lobes.

Habitat:

Found growing in shade under some more or less isolated coniferous trees on mountain pastures of High Jura natural reserve, at about (and above) 1400m of altitude. The interesting thing that year (2021) was that in August, these high altitude pastures were not only very lush green and rich, but also in flower - flowers were simply everywhere, quite late in the season - on totally opposite of the situation today.

Notes:

1. My visits to high Jura pastures last week prompted me to revisit this album from the last year summer season (and finally find some time to post these pics), when all these, today very dry, almost burnt pastures, were incredibly green and full of life, flowers and insects. 2. The plant has it's medicinal purposes - the essential oil extracted from rhizomes is used for stomach problems, while dried leaves can be used as an infusion to help with digestion and help stimulate appetite. 3. In some areas in France, the plant is protected. 4. Some varieties are also used as ornemental plants.