Aster tataricus

Aster tataricus, also called Tatarinow's aster, is a member of the Aster genus of flowering plants. Known as gaemichwi (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 (Chinese: 紫菀). It has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, B. typhi, Pseudomonas and Vibrio proteus. In Japan, Aster tataricus is known as shion, or 紫苑. The flower has a meaning in hanakotoba, the Japanese language of flowers, which corresponds to 'I won't forget you.'