The Collaborative International Dictionary
China asters
Aster \As"ter\ ([a^]s"t[~e]r), n. [L. aster aster, star, Gr. 'asth`r star. See Star.]
(Bot.) A genus of herbs with compound white or bluish flowers; starwort; Michaelmas daisy.
(Floriculture) A plant of the genus Callistephus. Many varieties (called China asters, German asters, etc.) are cultivated for their handsome compound flowers.
(Biol.) A star-shaped figure of achromatic substance found chiefly in cells dividing by mitosis.