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Chrysanthemum indicum - (L.)Des Moul.

Common Name Chrysanthemum
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Found wild in most habitats[147]. Grasslands on mountain slopes, thickets, wet places by rivers, fields, roadsides, saline places by seashores, under shrubs 100 - 2900 m. Nearly throughout China[266].
Range E. Asia - Eastern China, Central and Southern Japan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Chrysanthemum indicum Chrysanthemum


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Chrysanthemum indicum Chrysanthemum
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Chrysanthemum indicum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Chrysanthemum indicum. L.

Habitats

Edible Uses

The flower heads are pickled in vinegar[46, 61, 177, 183]. Young leaves - cooked[105, 177, 183]. An aromatic tea is made from the leaves[183]. Seed[183]. No more details are given but it is very small and would be rather fiddly to use.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The whole plant is antiphlogistic, blood tonic, depurative, febrifuge and vulnerary[147, 174, 178]. The plant is used in China to treat eye ailments[218]. In conjunction with black pepper it is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea[240]. The leaves are depurative[240]. They are used in China in the treatment of migraine[240]. The flowers are aperient, bitter, hypotensive, stomachic and vasodilator[176, 240]. They contain the glycoside chrysanthemin that yields glucose and cyanidin on hydrolysis, together with stachydrine and an essential oil[283]. They have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus, E. coli, streptococcus, C. diphtheriae, Bacillus dysenteriae[176]. The flowers are used in the treatment of furuncle, scrofula, deep-rooted boils, inflammation of the throat, eyes and cervix, eczema, itchiness of the skin and hypertension[176]. They have a rejuvenating effect when used over a long period of time[283]. An essential oil obtained from the plant contains chrysanthenone, this is active on the brain centre affected by Parkinson's disease[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The seed contains about 16% of a semi-drying oil, but no information is given as to its uses[240, 283]. The seed is rather small, commercial extraction is probably not viable[K].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most well-drained fertile soils in a sunny position[1, 200]. Plants tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c and should succeed outdoors in most parts of Britain[260]. This species is closely related to D. x grandiflorum (the cultivated chrysanthemum) according to one report[58] whilst another says that it is a parent of the cultivated chrysanthemum[1]. It has been proposed (1999) to restore this species to Chrysanthemum as C. indicum L. since the plant is so widely known under this name. When bruised, the foliage has a pungent refreshing fragrance that is somewhat lemon-like and reminiscent of chamomile[245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring to early summer in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[200]. It usually germinates in 10 - 18 days at 15°c but if it does not germinate within 4 weeks then try chilling the seed for 3 weeks in the salad compartment of a fridge[164]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Dendranthema indicumChrysanthemumPerennial0.6 5-9  LMHNM231
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Leucanthemum maximumShasta Daisy, Max chrysanthemumPerennial0.8 5-9  LMHNM00 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(L.)Des Moul.

Botanical References

58200266

Links / References

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