DN FLOWERS AND PETS Compiled by Damayanthi Hewamanna EDELWEISS and ASTER The Edelweiss and Aster both come from the family of the Sunflower asteraceae delweiss is one of species are used as food Leontopodium-alpinum the well known plants by the young insect of E European mountain a number of Lepidoptera flowers, belonging to the species. Asters can grow in sunflower family. The name all hardiness zones. comes from German edel The genus Aster is now which means noble and generally restricted to the weiss meaning white. Old World species, with Aster in bloom The scientific name, Aster amellus as well as of Leontopodium means the family Asteraceae. The “lion’s paw”, being derived New World species have from the Greek words leon now been reclassified in the meaning lion and podion a genera Almutaster, miniature of pous, meaning Canadanthus, Doellingeria, the foot. plant in many countries, Kingdom : Plantae Eucephalus, Eurybia, Ion- Flowering stalks of Edel- including Mongolia, Bul- actis, Oligoneuron, Ore- weiss can grow to a size of garia, Croatia, Switzerland, (unranked): Angiosperms ostemma, Sericocarpus and 3–20 cm and in cultivation, France, Italy, Germany, (unranked): Eudicots Symphyotrichum, though up to 40 cm). The leaves Spain (Ordesa National (unranked): Asterids all are treated within the appear woolly because of Park), Slovakia (Tatra Order: Asterales tribe Astereae. Regardless the covering of white hairs. National Park), Slovenia (in Family: Asteraceae of the taxonomic change, The flowers are felted and Gorizia and Gradisca since all are still widely referred also woolly with white 1896, in Carniola since Tribe: Gnaphalieae[1] to as Asters in the horticul- hairs, with characteristic 1898), Austria (since 1886) Genus: Leontopodium tural trades. Edelweiss bloom consisting of five to and Romania (since 1933). Species: L. alpinum In the UK there are only six small yellow flower It usually grows in inac- two native members of the Deep pink Aster heads surrounded by cessible places, which is ed that the North American genus of which one, leaflets in star form. The why it is associated in many species are better treated in Goldilocks is very rare, the flowers are in bloom countries of the alpine a series of other genera. other being Aster tripoli- between July and Septem- region with mountaineer- After this split there are um, the Sea aster. The ber. It is unequally dis- ing. Its white colour is con- roughly 180 species within Aster alpinus vierhapperi is tributed and prefers rocky sidered a symbol of purity, the genus, all but one being the only species native to limestone places at and holds a Latin as well as confined to Eurasia. North America. 2000–2900 m altitude. It is Romanian name, floarea The name Aster comes Source: Wikipedia not toxic, and has been reginei – the Queen’s flow- from the Ancient Greek used traditionally in folk er. word astron, meaning Kingdom : Plantae medicine as a remedy The Aster is a genus of “star”, arriving through the (unranked): Angiosperms against abdominal and res- flowering plants in the fam- Latin word astrum with the (unranked): Eudicots piratory diseases. The ily Asteraceae. The genus same meaning, referring to dense hair appears to be an once contained nearly 600 the shape of the flower head. (unranked): Asterids adaptation to high alti- species in Eurasia and Many species and a variety Order: Asterales tudes, protecting the plant North America, but after of hybrids and varieties are Family: Asteraceae from cold, aridity and UV morphologic and molecular popular as garden plants Tribe: Astereae radiation. research on the plant dur- because of their attractive Genus: Aster Edelweisses Edelweiss is a protected ing the 1990s, it was decid- and colourful flowers. Aster A purple Aster Endangered species Signboard DEMI keep them surviving to the The number of endan- hat is it with day they die. Activists and gered species been killed or people and ndangered species is certain authorities have dying a natural death is ris- W signboards? I directly directed to tried to keep these rare ani- ing as we speak. The endan- mean when a sign board E the fact about cer- mals safe from harm but no gered animals are the is right in front of their tain animals reaching the matter what they do, people White Rhinoceros, Leop- face telling them not to brink of extinction because somehow manage to take ards, the Giant Pandas, do something, or go this of the harsh cruelty they are the lives of the creatures Sumatran Tigers, Komodo way or beware in lan- faced by greedy, selfish, and sell it for a price that is Dragons, Tapirs, Birds of guages that they can money hungry hunters who not worth a cent. Paradise and many others. understand, they still go come after them for their Tropical forests may look People from every coun- and do the opposite. fur, skin, tusks, and other all lovely and the star try should in their own way I see this especially in parts or their homes and attraction for environmen- work together to protect the zoo. There is a big habitats been destroyed for tal protectionists but they these animals, as when we signboard that says the development of a coun- are the ones who are prone die and our next in line gen- “Don’t feed the animals” try. for destruction as they have eration comes to face the or “Don’t cross the fence” There are lots of inci- plants to cure certain dis- world, they will have noth- or “Don’t touch the ani- food at them, annoying dents that are taking place eases, to be an antidote for ing but dry grass and rocks mals”, but do the people them and the worst part, the world over, and the mental stresses and many to admire. follow the signs, no they the adults don’t do any- time one has is also going others. The so called don’t. thing about it because fast, giving one only a few authorities come on their Are they really that they are also throwing seconds to think and act on expedition, destroying stupid? I mean can’t they food at animals, where a the thought. Through this, whatever that comes understand that the rea- signboard right in front people think of what is towards their path and take son the signboards have of them and outside the more important to them, what they want and leave been put up is for a rea- cage says “Don’t feed the for them to survive and in the place in utter mess. We son! Some of the animals animals”! Whaaaats up? Sausage dog that moment of thought have to put a pause to this that are brought from What will it take for they choose what they want as plants and animals hold other countries are not people to understand, and begin their work on medicinal, agricultural, eco- brought for torture or for that animals also have lands and homes of crea- logical, commercial and pleasure by just staring feelings and they are not tures who cannot communi- aesthetic/recreational value at them through the cage. at all happy about being cate with us. and they must be protected A zoo is a place where exhibitionists for our These creatures have no so the next coming genera- rare breeds of animals viewing pleasure and the way of telling intruders that tion can have the chance of are kept for people who fact that the reason they this is their home and that seen these creatures live can’t afford safaris and have signboards are put the climate they are in is and well than in a wax his- trips abroad to go see near their cages is for The the only climate that can tory museum. Sumatran Tiger animals the world over. their safety as well as But do they care about all ours? If people can’t go to that? the zoo without keeping They don’t because it’s their hands and food to funny not theirs to look after, themselves, then I guess right? They do what they the only thing to do is like when they go there. save the zoo money get They eat worse than ani- cable and watch Animal mals and when they fin- Planet, then you can corner ish eating, whatever laugh, eat, litter and do paper or plastic bottle what you want in your they have they will throw own home. it on the ground right Because the zoo is a next to the dustbin and a home for those animals board that says “Don’t you bully just because Litter”, and once again, they are cages up! You it’s written in all three put a board on your gate languages. saying “Beware: dog”, The last time I had a you wouldn’t like it if visit to the zoo, it was someone came and like a nightmare to me, I annoyed your dog got You ain’t going anywhere, buddy mean the way these peo- bitten and you had to ple who came from all the look after their medical countryside treated the expenses, would you? I Tapir animals was so disgust- think not. ing! They are fascinated So next time you go by what they see but then anywhere read the sign poking them, throwing twice over! DH Dear Readers, Your stories about your pet, your garden, exhibitions and events regarding animals as well as plants are most welcome on this page.You are free to express your ideas on what you see happening around you, for example if you see any wrong - doings to an animal or see that an animal needs help in the streets or anywhere please write and let us know so that we can get the relevant authorities to help them.