Aster

as′tėr, n. a genus of plants of the natural order Compos itæ, with showy radiated flowers varying from white to lilac-blue or purple, mostly perennial, flowering in late summer and autumn, hence often called in England Michael mas or Christmas daisies.— China aster , the best-known and most valued of the family, brought from China to France by a mi ionary in the 18th century. [Gr. astēr , a star.]