Astrantia minor is a flowering plant that often reaches 15–30 cm in height, with simple
stems, rarely branched in the upper half, the basal
leaves are of two types, often on the same plant: one with narrow segments that are all
pinnatisect, the other with broad segments, the central being pinnatisect and the lateral being deeply
pinnatipartite;
petioles 4–12 cm; the
leaf blade with (5) 7 (8) segments of 1-3 (4.5) x 0.5 -1.3 cm, pale green, toothed in upper half or two thirds, the stem at the base of the
inflorescence, from 2 to 3.2 x 0.2-0.5 cm reduced to 3-5 segments.
Inflorescence with 1-3
peduncles unequal, the central, sometimes branched, and longer than the sides that have unique
umbels;
Umbels surrounded by (10) 12-14
bracts, 4-10 x 1–3 mm, membranous, entire, the apex green with three ribs. The
flowers are 30-40 per umbel, of the same length or slightly shorter than the bracts, generally
hermaphroditic in the centre and male peripherally.
Calices have teeth about 1 mm in size, ovate-oblong,
subobtuse and slightly
bearded (1.5-2 times longer than wide).
Petals are similar in size to the
sepals and white or cream.
Stamens exserted.
Fruit ovoid (1.5) 2–5 mm with scales in the form of a
vesicle, sub-obtuse. Flowering occurs in summer, == Habitat ==