Aster amellus Aster amellus Aster amellus, the European Michaelmas-daisy, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus "Aster", belonging to the Asteraceae family. In the language of flowers, the Michaelmas-daisy symbolizes a farewell or a departure. The genus name ("Aster") comes from the Greek and means "star-shaped flower." The specific name ("amellus") is first used in the Georgics (Book IV, 271-280), a poem of the Latin poet Publius Vergilius Maro (70 BC - 19 BC), but the etymology is obscure and uncertain. "Aster amellus" reaches on average a height of . The stem is erect and branched, the leaves are dark green.
Isonokami no Maro Maro was dispatched with to Tsukushi Province to deliver court rank diplomas. He participated in Empress Jitō's enthronement ceremony in 690, and in 700 was put in charge of the Dazaifu. In 701, Maro was promoted to and from "chūnagon" to "dainagon" under the new Taihō Code. Later that year, died, and Maro went with Prince Osakabe to deliver a gift from the Emperor to his house. When the "udaijin" died in 703, Maro was again the deliverer of gifts and condolences. In 704, Maro possessed the rank of , and was promoted to "udaijin". He was now the second