starwort: A genus of the polygamia superflua order, belonging to the syngenesia clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 49th order, Compositae difformis. The receptacle is naked; the pappus is simple; the rays of the corolla are 10; and the calyx is imbricated. There are above 30 species. All of them may be raised from seed sown either in autumn or spring: but the greatest part of them being perennial plants, and increasing greatly at the roots, are generally propagated by parting their roots early in the spring, and they will grow in almost any soil or situation; and the larger sorts increase so fast, that, if not prevented, they will in a little time run over a large space of ground. They grow best in the shade: the lower kinds do not run so much at the root, but should be taken up and transplanted every other year; which will make them produce much fairer flowers. Some few sorts, which are natives of warm climates, will require artificial heat to raise them, if not to preserve them.

or Stella Marina, in zoology. See ASTERIAS.