Aster tataricus, also called Tartarian aster and Tatarinow's aster,[1] is a member of the Aster genus of flowering plants.
Known as gaemichwi (Korean: 개미취) in Korean, the plant is considered a chwinamul (edible Aster) variety used in Korean cuisine.
It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs of traditional Chinese medicine, where it has the name zǐwǎn . It has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, B. typhi, Pseudomonas and Vibrio proteus.[2]
In Japan, Aster tataricus is known as shion, or Japanese: 紫苑. The flower has a meaning in hanakotoba, the Japanese language of flowers, which corresponds to "I won't forget you."[3]