Chrysanthemum, Cut Mum, Garden Mum, Pot Mum, Florist's Chrysanthemum

Dendranthema x grandiflorum

Physical Characteristics

Dendranthema x grandiflorum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. 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.

Distribution

A hybrid of garden origin.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Edible Uses: Tea The flower heads or petals[46, 116, 179] are parboiled and served as a salad with tofu and seasoned with vinegar or soya sauce[183]. They can also be prepared as tempura, pickled, dried or added to soups[183]. The petals contain about 1.9% protein, 0.9% fat, 5.3% carbohydrate, 0.7% ash[179]. Leaves - cooked[46, 105, 179]. Used as fritters, they are aromatic[183]. Some varieties have been selected for their low bitterness[116]. An aromatic tea is made from the leaves[183]. A tangy aromatic tea is made from the flowers or flower petals[179]. For a sweeter tea only the petals are used[183].

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Antifungal Carminative Depurative Diaphoretic Febrifuge Ophthalmic Refrigerant Sedative Chrysanthemum flowers, known in China as Ju Hua, are a bitter aromatic herb that has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine[238, 254]. The flower heads are drunk as a refreshing tisane and are used to improve vision, soothe sore eyes, relieve headaches, counter infections etc[254]. They are antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, carminative, depurative, diaphoretic, febrifuge, ophthalmic, refrigerant and sedative[116, 147, 176, 218, 238]. Taken internally they dilate the coronary artery, thus increasing the flow of blood to the heart, and so are used in the treatment of hypertension, coronary heart diseases and angina[238]. The flowers are harvested when fully open in the autumn and are dried for later use[238]. In China they are steamed before being dried to make them less bitter[238]. The leaf juice is smeared onto wounds[218].

Known Hazards

None known