6/26/2018 Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia

Chrysanthemum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Chrysanthemum (disambiguation).

Chrysanthemums(/krɪˈsænθəməm/), sometimes
Chrysanthemum
called mums or chrysanths, are flowering plants of
the genusChrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae. They are native to
Asia and northeastern Europe. Most species originate from East Asia
and the center of diversity is in China.[4]There are countless horticultural
varieties and cultivars.

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Taxonomy
Yellow chrysanthemum morifolium
3 Description
4 History Scientific classification
5 Economic uses Kingdom: Plantae
5.1 Ornamental uses Clade: Angiosperms
5.2 Culinary uses
Clade: Eudicots
5.3 Insecticidal uses
Clade: Asterids
5.4 Environmental uses
Order: Asterales
6 Cultural significance and symbolism
6.1 Australia Family: Asteraceae
6.2 China Subfamily: Asteroideae
6.3 Japan Supertribe: Asterodae
6.4 Korea
Tribe: Anthemideae
6.5 United States
Genus: Chrysanthemum
6.6 Others
L.
7 Species
Type species
8 Gallery
9 See also Chrysanthemum indicum
L.[1][2]
10 References
11 Further reading Synonyms[3]
12 External links Chrysanthemum subsect. Dendranthema (DC.)
DC. ex Kitam.
Neuractis Cass.
Etymology [ edit ]
Pyrethrum sect. DendranthemaDC.
The name "chrysanthemum" is derived from the Ancient Leucanthemum (Tourn.) L.
Greek: χρυσός chrysos (gold) and Ancient
Dendranthema (DC.) Des Moul.
Greek: ἄνθεμον anthemon(flower).[5][6]
Pyrethrum sect. DendranthemaDC.

Taxonomy [ edit ]
Chrysanthemum
The genus once included more species, but was split several decades ago into
several genera, putting the economically important florist's chrysanthemums in
the genus Dendranthema. The naming of the genera has been contentious, but a
The Chinese character for "chrysanthemum"
ruling of the International Botanical Congress in 1999 changed the defining

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum 1/5
6/26/2018 Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia

species of the genus to Chrysanthemum indicum, restoring the florist's Chinese name

chrysanthemums to the genus Chrysanthemum. Chinese 菊花

Literal meaning "chrysanthemum-flower"
The other species previously included in the narrow view of the
Transcriptions show
genus Chrysanthemum are now transferred to the genus Glebionis. The other
Japanese name
genera separate
Kanji 菊花
Transcriptions show

from Chrysanthemuminclude Argyranthemum, Leucanthemopsis, Leucanthemum, Rhodanthemum, and Tanacetum.

Description [ edit ]

Wild Chrysanthemumtaxa are herbaceousperennial plants or subshrubs. They have

alternately arranged leaves divided into leaflets with toothed or occasionally smooth
edges. The compound inflorescence is an array of several flower heads, or sometimes
a solitary head. The head has a base covered in layers of phyllaries. The simple row of
ray florets are white, yellow or red; many horticultural specimens have been bred to
bear many rows of ray florets in a great variety of colors. The disc florets of wild taxa
are yellow. The fruit is a ribbed achene.[7]Chrysanthemums, also known as ‘mums’,
are one of the prettiest varieties of perennials that start blooming early in the autumn.
This is also known as favorite flower for the month of November.[8]

History [ edit ]

Chrysanthemums were first cultivated in China as a flowering herb as far back as the
15th century BC.[9] Over 500 cultivars had been recorded by the year 1630.[7] The
plant is renowned as one of the Four Gentlemen in Chinese and East Asian art. The
plant is particularly significant during the Double Ninth Festival.

Chrysanthemum cultivation began in Japan during the Naraand Heian periods (early
8th to late 12th centuries), and gained popularity in the Edo period (early 17th to late Historical painting of
19th century). Many flower shapes, colours, and varieties were created. The way the chrysanthemums from the New
International Encyclopedia, 1902
flowers were grown and shaped also developed, and chrysanthemum culture
flourished. The Imperial Seal of Japanis a chrysanthemum and the institution of the
monarchy is also called the Chrysanthemum Throne. A number of festivals and shows take place throughout Japan in autumn
when the flowers bloom. Chrysanthemum Day (菊の節句 Kiku no Sekku)is one of the five ancient sacred festivals. It is
celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th month. It was started in 910, when the imperial court held its first chrysanthemum show.

Chrysanthemums entered American horticulture in 1798 when Colonel John Stevens imported a cultivated variety known as
'Dark Purple' from England. The introduction was part of an effort to grow attractions within Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New
Jersey.[10]

Economic uses [ edit ]

Ornamental uses [ edit ]

Modern cultivated chrysanthemums are showier than their wild relatives. The flower heads occur in various forms, and can be
daisy-like or decorative, like pompons or buttons. This genus contains many hybrids and thousands of cultivarsdeveloped for
horticultural purposes. In addition to the traditional yellow, other colors are available, such as white, purple, and red. The most
important hybrid is Chrysanthemum × morifolium (syn. C. × grandiflorum), derived primarily from C. indicum, but also involving
other species.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum 2/5
6/26/2018 Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia

Over 140 cultivars of chrysanthemum have gained the Royal Horticultural

Society's Award of Garden Merit(confirmed 2017).[11]

Chrysanthemums are divided into two basic groups, garden hardy and exhibition.
Garden hardy mums are new perennials capable of wintering in most northern
latitudes. Exhibition varieties are not usually as sturdy. Garden hardies are defined by
their ability to produce an abundance of small blooms with little if any mechanical
assistance, such as staking, and withstanding wind and rain. Exhibition varieties,
though, require staking, overwintering in a relatively dry, cool environment, and
sometimes the addition of night lights.

The exhibition varieties can be used to create many amazing plant forms, such as Chrysanthemum indicum

large disbudded blooms, spray forms, and many artistically trained forms, such as
thousand-bloom, standard (trees), fans, hanging baskets, topiary, bonsai, and
cascades.

Chrysanthemum blooms are divided into 10 different bloom forms by the US National
Chrysanthemum Society, Inc., which is in keeping with the international classification
system. The bloom forms are defined by the way in which the ray and disk florets are
arranged. Chrysanthemum blooms are composed of many individual flowers (florets),
each one capable of producing a seed. The disk florets are in the center of the bloom
head, and the ray florets are on the perimeter. The ray florets are considered imperfect Different colors of chrysanthemum x
morifolium
flowers, as they only possess the female productive organs, while the disk florets are
considered perfect flowers, as they possess both male and female reproductive
organs.

Irregular incurves are bred to produce a giant head called an ogiku. The disk florets
are concealed in layers of curving ray florets that hang down to create a 'skirt'. Regular
incurves are similar, but usually with smaller blooms and a dense, globular form.
Intermediate incurve blooms may have broader florets and a less densely flowered
head.

In the reflex form, the disk florets are concealed and the ray florets reflex outwards to
create a mop-like appearance. The decorative form is similar to reflex blooms, but the Example of a
ray florets usually do not radiate at more than a 90° angle to the stem. Japanese bonsaichrysanthemum

The pompon form is fully double, of small size, and very globular in form. Single and
semidouble blooms have exposed disk florets and one to seven rows of ray florets.

In the anemone form, the disk florets are prominent, often raised and overshadowing the ray florets. The spoon-form disk
florets are visible and the long, tubular ray florets are spatulate.

In the spider form, the disk florets are concealed, and the ray florets are tube-like with hooked or barbed ends, hanging loosely
around the stem. In the brush and thistle variety, the disk florets may be visible.

In Japan a form of bonsai chrysanthemum was developed over the centuries. The cultivated flower has a life-span of about five
years and can be kept in miniature size. Another method is to use pieces of dead wood and the flower grows over the back
along the wood to give the illusion from the front that the miniature tree blooms.

Culinary uses [ edit ]

Yellow or white chrysanthemum flowers of the species C. morifolium are boiled to make a tea in some parts of Asia. The
resulting beverage is known simply as chrysanthemum tea (菊花 茶, pinyin: júhuā chá, in Chinese). In Korea, a rice
wineflavored with chrysanthemum flowers is called gukhwaju (국화주).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum 3/5
6/26/2018 Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia

Chrysanthemum leaves are steamed or boiled and used as greens, especially in Chinese cuisine. The flowers may be added
to dishes such as mixian in broth, or thick snakemeat soup (蛇羹) to enhance the aroma. Small chrysanthemums are used in
Japan as a sashimi garnish.

Insecticidal uses [ edit ]

Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum [or Tanacetum] cinerariaefolium) is economically important as a natural source of insecticide. The
flowers are pulverized, and the active components, called pyrethrins, which occur in the achenes, are extracted and sold in the
form of an oleoresin. This is applied as a suspension in water or oil, or as a powder. Pyrethrins attack the nervous systems of
all insects, and inhibit female mosquitoes from biting. In sublethal doses they have an insect repellent effect. They are harmful
to fish, but are far less toxic to mammals and birds than many synthetic insecticides. They are not persistent,
being biodegradable, and also decompose easily on exposure to light. Pyrethroids such as permethrin are synthetic
insecticides based on natural pyrethrum.

Persian powder is an example of industrial product of Chrysanthemum insecticide.

Environmental uses [ edit ]

Chrysanthemum plants have been shown to reduce indoor air pollution by the NASA Clean Air Study.[12]

Cultural significance and symbolism [ edit ]

In some countries of Europe (e.g., France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Croatia), incurve chrysanthemums
symbolize death and are used only for funerals or on graves, while other types carry no such symbolism; similarly,
in China, Japan and Korea, white chrysanthemums symbolize adversity, lamentation and/or grief. In some other countries, they
represent honesty.[13] In the United States, the flower is usually regarded as positive and cheerful,[14] with New Orleans as a
notable exception.[15]

In the Victorian language of flowers, the Chrysanthemum had several meanings. The Chinese Chrysanthemum meant
cheerfulness, whereas the red Chrysanthemum stood for I Love, while the yellow Chrysanthemum symbolized slighted love.[16]

Australia [ edit ]

In Australia, on Mother's Day, which falls in May when the flower is in season, people traditionally wear a white
chrsanthemum, or a similar white flower to honour their mothers. Chrysanthemums are often given as Mother's Day
presents.[17]

China [ edit ]

The chrysanthemum is the city flower of Kaifeng. The tradition of cultivating

different varieties of chrysanthemums stretches all the way back 1600 years, and
the scale reached a phenomenal level during the Song dynasty until its loss to
the Jürchens in 1126. The city has held the Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Cultural
Festival since 1983 (renamed China Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Cultural Festival in
1994). The event is the largest Chrysanthemum Festival in China, it has been a
yearly feature since, taking place between 18 October and 18 November every
year.[18]
The chrysanthemum is one of the "Four Gentlemen" (四君子) of China (the others
Ming dynasty red lacquerware dish
being the plum blossom, the orchid, and bamboo). The chrysanthemum is said to
with carved chrysanthemums and
have been favored by Tao Qian, an influential Chinese poet, and is symbolic of dragons
nobility. It is also one of the four symbolic seasonal flowers.
A chrysanthemum festival is held each year in Tongxiang, near Hangzhou,
China.[19]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum 4/5
6/26/2018 Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia

Chrysanthemums are the topic in hundreds of poems of China.[20]

The "golden flower" referred to in the 2006 movie Curse of the Golden Flower is a chrysanthemum.
"Chrysanthemum Gate" (jú huā mén 菊花门), often abbreviated as Chrysanthemum (菊花), is taboo slang meaning "anus"
(with sexual connotations).[21]
An ancient Chinese city (Xiaolan Town of Zhongshan City) was named Ju-Xian, meaning "chrysanthemum city".
The plant is particularly significant during the Chinese Double Ninth Festival.
In Chinese culture, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of autumn and the flower of the ninth moon. People even drank
chrysanthemum wine on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month in order to prolong their lives during the Han dynasty. It is a
symbol of longevity because of its health-giving properties.[22] Because of all of this, the flower was often worn on funeral
attire.

Japan [ edit ]

In Japan, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of the Emperor and the Imperial family.
In particular, a "chrysanthemum crest" (菊花紋章, kikukamonshō or kikkamonshō),
i.e. a mon of chrysanthemum blossom design, indicates a link to the Emperor;

Chrysanthemum shows have been

traditionally held in many Japanese
towns.[23]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum 5/5