ASTEROCEPHALUS SUCCISA Meaning and
Definition
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Asterocephalus succisa is a plant species belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is commonly known as the prickly starhead or devil's bite. The scientific name "Asterocephalus succisa" is derived from the Greek words "aster" meaning star and "kephalos" meaning head, which refers to the flower head shape resembling a star.
This perennial herbaceous plant is native to a number of European countries including Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, and Poland. It typically grows in dry grasslands, meadows, and open woodland habitats. Asterocephalus succisa is characterized by its basal rosette of dark green, spiny leaves that are deeply lobed. The stem of the plant is erect and can reach a height of up to 60 centimeters.
The flowering period of Asterocephalus succisa occurs from July to September, producing small, composite flower heads at the top of the stems. Each flower head consists of numerous tiny disc flowers surrounded by spiky bracts. The flowers are usually of a deep blue-violet color, but they can also be pink or mauve.
Asterocephalus succisa is valued for its ornamental qualities and is often cultivated in gardens and naturalistic landscapes for its unique appearance. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to the biodiversity of the area it grows in. Additionally, some herbal medicine traditions have used parts of the plant for their potential therapeutic benefits, although scientific research in this area is limited.
Etymology of ASTEROCEPHALUS SUCCISA
The word "Asterocephalus succisa" is a scientific binomial name given to a plant species. It is composed of two parts: the genus name "Asterocephalus" and the specific epithet "succisa".
The genus name "Asterocephalus" originates from the Greek words "aster" meaning "star" and "kephalos" meaning "head". It refers to the appearance of the flower heads of plants in this genus, which resemble star-shaped heads.
The specific epithet "succisa" is derived from the Latin word "succidere", meaning "to cut off". It likely describes the plant's cut or truncated leaves or stems.
Overall, the etymology of "Asterocephalus succisa" reflects the characteristics of the plant, combining Greek and Latin roots to describe the star-shaped flower heads and the truncated leaves or stems.
