History
Chrysanthemums were cultivated in China as a flowering herb as far back as the 15th century BCE. An ancient Chinese city was named Chu-Hsien, meaning "chrysanthemum city". The flower was introduced into Japan probably in the 8th century CE, and the Emperor adopted the flower as his official seal. There is a "Festival of Happiness" in Japan that celebrates the flower.
The flower was brought to Europe in the 17th century. Linnaeus named it from the Greek prefix chrys-, which means golden (the colour of the original flowers), and -anthemon, meaning flower.
Ornamental uses
Modern chrysanthemums are much showier than their wild relatives. The flowers occur in various forms, and can be daisy-like, decorative, pompons or buttons. This genus contains many hybrids and thousands of cultivars developed for horticultural purposes. In addition to the traditional yellow, other colours 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.
Chrysanthemum leaves resemble its close cousin, the mugwort weed -- so much so that mugwort is sometimes called wild chrysanthemum -- making them not always the first choice for professional gardeners.
Chrysanthemums make a welcome addition to the garden, in particular because their late flowering offers advantages when the other garden plants are winding down for winter. Outdoor flowering chrysanthemums will need protection from hard frosts.
The flower was brought to Europe in the 17th century. Linnaeus named it from the Greek prefix chrys-, which means golden (the colour of the original flowers), and -anthemon, meaning flower.
Ornamental uses
Modern chrysanthemums are much showier than their wild relatives. The flowers occur in various forms, and can be daisy-like, decorative, pompons or buttons. This genus contains many hybrids and thousands of cultivars developed for horticultural purposes. In addition to the traditional yellow, other colours 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.
Chrysanthemum leaves resemble its close cousin, the mugwort weed -- so much so that mugwort is sometimes called wild chrysanthemum -- making them not always the first choice for professional gardeners.
Chrysanthemums make a welcome addition to the garden, in particular because their late flowering offers advantages when the other garden plants are winding down for winter. Outdoor flowering chrysanthemums will need protection from hard frosts.
Culinary uses
Chrysanthemum flowers are boiled to make a sweet drink in some parts of Asia. The resulting beverage is known simply as "chrysanthemum tea." Chrysanthemum tea has many medicinal uses, including an aid in recovery from influenza.
The leaves of several species such as Chrysanthemum coronarium, the Garland Chrysanthemum, which is grown commercially in East Asia as a leaf vegetable, known as tung ho or shungiku In China, the greens are often stir-fried simply with garlic and dried chili peppers. The colour of the cooked greens is dark, their texture dense and mucilaginous, and their flavour fragrant and complex.
The leaves of several species such as Chrysanthemum coronarium, the Garland Chrysanthemum, which is grown commercially in East Asia as a leaf vegetable, known as tung ho or shungiku In China, the greens are often stir-fried simply with garlic and dried chili peppers. The colour of the cooked greens is dark, their texture dense and mucilaginous, and their flavour fragrant and complex.
Insecticidal uses
Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum [or Tanacetum] cinerariaefolium) is economically important as a natural source of insecticide. The flowers are pulverized and the active components called pyrethrins, contained in the seed cases, 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. When not present in amounts fatal to insects, they still appear to have an insect repellent effect. They are harmful to fish, but are far less toxic to mammals and birds than many synthetic insecticides and are non-persistent, being biodegradable and also breaking down easily on exposure to light. They are considered to be amongst the safest insecticides for use around food. (Pyrethroids are synthetic insecticides based on natural pyrethrum, e.g., permethrin.)
Cultural Significance & Symbolism
In some countries of Europe and in Japan, chrysanthemums are symbolic of death and are only used for funerals or on graves. In China, white chrysanthemums are symbolic of lamentation, while in some other countries, of honesty. In the United States, the flower is usually regarded as positive and cheerful.
The Chrysanthemum Throne is the common name given to the Imperial throne of Japan. The chrysanthemum is the monshō, or crest, of the Emperor of Japan; therefore kikukamonshō literally means the Chrysanthemum Crest.
The chrysanthemum is one of the "Four Junzi Flowers” of China (the others being ume, orchid and bamboo), known in Chinese as jú. The jú is said to be a favourite of Tao Qian, an influential Chinese poet, and is symbolic of nobleness.
The chrysanthemum is the flower of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Men's Music Fraternity.
Chrysanthemums were recognized as the official flower of the city of Chicago in 1966.
The term "chrysanthemum" is also used to refer to a certain type of firework shell which produces a pattern of trailing sparks similar to a chrysanthemum flower.]
The chrysanthemum is also the flower of November.
Information gathered from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia
The Chrysanthemum Throne is the common name given to the Imperial throne of Japan. The chrysanthemum is the monshō, or crest, of the Emperor of Japan; therefore kikukamonshō literally means the Chrysanthemum Crest.
The chrysanthemum is one of the "Four Junzi Flowers” of China (the others being ume, orchid and bamboo), known in Chinese as jú. The jú is said to be a favourite of Tao Qian, an influential Chinese poet, and is symbolic of nobleness.
The chrysanthemum is the flower of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Men's Music Fraternity.
Chrysanthemums were recognized as the official flower of the city of Chicago in 1966.
The term "chrysanthemum" is also used to refer to a certain type of firework shell which produces a pattern of trailing sparks similar to a chrysanthemum flower.]
The chrysanthemum is also the flower of November.
Information gathered from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia
Some of you may be wondering why I've posted this information about mums, well it's because this post is dedicated to them of course. You may not know this but my brother Jim has worked at Yoder Brothers, Inc. for almost 40 years now and their primary crop is the chrysanthemum. So here are some photos I recently took of mums, some are natural and others have been touched up a little in Photoshop.
Enjoy!
