Botanical Name: Dendranthema lavandulifolium
Family: Asteraceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Genus: Chrysanthemum
Species: C. lavandulifolium
Synonyms:
*Chrysanthemum bellum Grüning
*Chrysanthemum boreale Makino
*Chrysanthemum indicum var. boreale Makino, nom. inval.
*Chrysanthemum jucundum Nakai & Kitag.
*Chrysanthemum namikawanum Kitam.
*Chrysanthemum seticuspe (Maxim.) Hand.-Mazz.
*Chrysanthemum seticuspe f. boreale (Makino) H.Ohashi & Yonek.
Common Names: Chrysanthemum, Cut Mum, Garden Mum, Pot Mum, Florist’s Chrysanthemum
Habitat: Dendranthema lavandulifolium is native to E. Asia – Northern China, Japan, Korea and Manchuria. It grows on the mountain slopes, rocks, river valleys, river banks, wastelands and hilly lands at elvations of 600–2800 metres.
Description:
Dendranthema lavandulifolium is a perennial hereb. growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is in flower from August to October. Bloom Colors are Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
The herb is erect, and the flowers have yellow sepals and multiple carpals. The herb has a green, oblong leaf with pinnate venation. These leaves are about 5–7 cm in length and 4–6 cm in width. The leaf blade is broad, while the base is suddenly narrowed and of an ovate or lanceolate lobed shape. The leaves are in alternate arrangement throughout the stem. In addition, it has a broad sinus base with “dorsifixed pubescence” underneath. The petiole is about 1–2 cm long. The rhizome is short, while the stem is erect, long branched, and colored white pubescent. Also, there are only a few stem-leaves. The herb grows from 100 to 150 cm.
C. lavandulifolium flowers grow in a corymb-style head and are terminal. They also have yellow heads that contain multiple carpals; these stretch from 14–15 mm in diameter. They also contain three or four oblong bracts that have soft tissue and are elliptical and tipped. These bracts have hemispherical involucre or coverings. In addition, the yellow corollas of the flower are about 5–7 mm long and 1.5–2 mm wide These heads stretch to about 1.5 cm in diameter. These bisexual florets have obtuse and irregular anther bases. They have pistillate ray florets that can be yellow or white. From these pistillates, they produce achenes, which are indehiscent and angled. The pappus, a modified calyx, is not present or extremely small.
Cultivation:
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. Succeeds in most well-drained fertile soils in a sunny position. This species is closely related to D. indicum. When bruised, the foliage has a pungent refreshing fragrance that is somewhat lemon-like and reminiscent of chamomile.
Propagation:
Through Seeds – sow spring to early summer in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. 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. 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.
Edible Uses:
The following uses are for the closely related D. indica. They quite possibly also apply to this species.
*The flower heads are pickled in vinegar.
*Young leaves ARE cooked & eaten.
*An aromatic tea is made from the leaves.
Seed. No more details are given but it is very small and would be rather fiddly to use.
Medicinal Uses:
The flowers are hypotensive and vasodilator. They have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus, E. coli, streptococcus, C. diphtheriae, Bacillus dysenteriae. 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.
Other Uses:
Many times the plant is grown in the garden for beautification.The following uses are for the closely related D. indicum. They quite possibly also apply to this species. The seed contains about 16% of a semi-drying oil.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum_lavandulifolium#
http://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Dendranthema+lavandulifolium#:~:text=Dendranthema%20lavandulifolium%20is%20a%20perennial%20plant%20that%20can,as%20a%20food%2C%20medicine%20and%20source%20of%20materials.
https://pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Dendranthema+x+grandiflorum
