chrysanthemum

chrysanthemum (krĭsăn`thəməm), name for a large number of annual or perennial herbs of the genus Chrysanthemum of the family Asteraceae (aster family), some cultivated in Asia for at least 2,000 years. The chrysanthemum is the floral emblem of the imperial family of Japan; the highest officials are honored by orders of the chrysanthemum. The flower heads are mostly late blooming and of various shades of red, yellow, and white; they range from single daisylike to large rounded or shaggy heads. Chrysanthemums were introduced to England in the late 18th cent., and today innumerable named horticultural types exist. Most are varieties of C. morifolium, a species of indeterminate origin and no longer known in the wild form. Chrysanthemums rank with roses in commercial importance as cut flowers and pot and garden plants. The pyrethrum, feverfew, and daisy belong to the same genus. Pyrethrum is used as an insecticide and feverfew as an herbal remedy for migraine. Chrysanthemum is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Asterales, family Asteraceae.

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chrysanthemum

Any of the ornamental plants that make up the genus Chrysanthemum, in the composite family. The genus includes about 100 species native primarily to subtropical and temperate areas of the Old World. Cultivated species, often called mums, have large flower heads; those of wild species are much smaller. Most species have aromatic, alternate leaves. Some have both disk and ray flowers in the heads; others lack ray flowers. Costmary (C. balsamita), pyrethrum, marguerite, Shasta daisy (hybrid forms of C. maximum), florists' chrysanthemum (C. morifolium), feverfew (C. parthenium), corn marigold (C. segetum), and tansy are popular garden plants. Feverfew and pyrethrum are used in insecticides; feverfew and tansy were formerly used in medicines.

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chrysanthemum

of Japan. [Flower Symbolism: WB, 7: 264]

See : Flower Or Plant, National

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chrysanthemum

symbol of truth. [Flower Symbolism: Flora Symbolica, 173; Kunz, 330]

See : Honesty