Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum Sinense Plant

Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower

Chrysanthemum Sinense Leaf

Chrysanthemum Sinense Seed

Includes: Chrysanthemum, family Asteraceae

Folk Names: Mum; Chrysanths
Scientific Names: Chrysanthemum Indicum (Indian Chrysanthemum); Chrysanthemum Sinense (Florist's Chrysanthemum; also found under Chrysanthemum × Morifolium, Pyrethrum Sinense, and 20+ other synonyms)

Conservation Status: Not Assessed

Native Regions: east Asia (especially China); northeastern Europe
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Physical Description: Family of herbaceous perennial flowering plants and subshrubs. Leaves are usually alternate, divided into leaflets, and may be pinnatisect, lobed, or serrated depending on species. Leaf connections to the stalks are hairy at the base. Base of the flower heads are covered in phyllary layers. Plants flower in compound inflorescences that may contain multiple or solitary flower heads depending on species. Seeds are ribbed achenes (Wiki).

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Gardening Uses: Typically Ornamental- usually in bright, vivid colorations; occasionally used as a Bonsai in Japan, though it's short-lived. It also has uses as a nonpersistent, biodegradable Insecticide and Insect Repellant that decomposes easily when exposed to light. (Wiki)

Cold Stratification:
Growing Concerns:
Handling Concerns: The Insecticide and Insect Repellant made from Crysanthemum is toxic to Fish- and, to a lesser extent, Birds. (Wiki)

Medicinal Uses: Longevity, Sore Throats, Digestion, Fever Reducer (Crosson)

Compounds Known: Pyrethrins
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Culinary Uses: Flowers are used as a common Tea in China, and a Rice Wine flavorant in Korea- or as garnishes in Japanese cuisine. The leaves are used as a common green in China. (Wiki)

Practical Uses: Reduces indoor air pollution (NASA Clean Air Study via Wiki)

Magical Uses: Bad Luck (Watts); Good Luck (Woodward); Releasing Limiting Beliefs (Woodward, Gregg); Forgiveness (Woodward, Gregg); Death / Funerary (Crosson; Watts; Woodward, de Cleene); The Dead / Ancestors (Woodward, de Cleene); The Afterlife (de Cleene); Comforting Grief (Crosson, Woodward); Good Health (Woodward); Immortality (Crosson); Power (Woodward); Perfection (Woodward); Joy / Celebration (Woodward); Blessing the Home (Gregg); Protection against evil (Crosson, Woodward); Protection against Spirits (Crosson, Cunningham); Protection from the Wrath of the Gods (Cunningham, Gregg);

Additional Notes: Asian and American cultures view the Chrysanthemum as a positive flower and associate it with health and vitality. European traditions view it as a negative one and associate it with death and the dead. divider

Chrysanthemum has traditionally been valued as a longevity tonic for general well-being and has been used to treat sore throats, to aid digestive issues, and to help reduce fever.

Commonly used in funerary practices in countries such as France, Italy, and Belgium, Chrysanthemum is a flower of immortality. Plant them around your home to protect against evil spirits or wandering ghosts. Use them in magick for funerary practices, protection, immortality, and grief.

'A Year in the Enchanted Garden: Cultivating the Witch's Soul with Spells, Crafts, and Garden Know-How' by Monica Crosson

Wearing the flowers protects against the wrath of the Gods, and when grown in the garden it protect it from evil spirits.

'Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs' by Scott Cunningham

In some parts, particularly Italy, Chrysanthemums (species unnamed) are seriously unlucky flowers, and are associated with the dead. They say that if you give Chrysanthemums to anyone it is the equivalent of saying "I wish you were dead". So, too, it is not a flower to take indoors, for it would bring bad luck with it.

Corn Marigold (Chrysanthemum Segetum- now Glebionis Segetum and removed from the Chrysanthemum family) was a cornfield pest; the plant was always plentiful on the light sandy soils of Morayshire, hindering the crops.

'Elsevier's Dictionary of Plant Lore' by D.C. Watts

Chrysanthemums were cultivated in ancient China thousands of years ago. To this day the flowers are highly esteemed, and every year during the Chongyang Festival, families hike up hills and drink chrysanthemum wine to banish evil and gain good health and luck for the coming year. In Japan the chrysanthemum represents power and perfection and were once only grown by the emperor. Across Europe chrysanthemums are grown as funeral flowers and used to honor the dead. In America, Chrysanthemums are a popular holiday flower displayed to bring joy and celebration into homes, gardens, and businesses.

Every chrysanthemum holds positive energy to cheer, comfort, and heal. Drop chrysanthemum flower petals in a glass of wine and drink it to ward health. Brew an infusion of chrysanthemum flowers and drink it to reduce inflammation, calm nerves, or fortify the spirit. Give a potted chrysanthemum to comfort someone who is grieving. Chrysanthemum flowers hold healing energy to aid the release of negative feelings and memories. Give a bouquet of chrysanthemums to someone with an apology to encourage forgiveness. Float flowers in the bath to restore and cheer. Make an infusion of chrysanthemum flowers and use it as a hair rinse to release any limiting belief you may hold.

'Backyard Garden Witchery: Creating Magickal Space Outside Your Door' by Laurel Woodward

[It should be noted that Gregg incorrectly lists Anacylus Pyrethrum as the scientific name for Chrysanthemum in her entry. This is a species of Pellitory, however, and is completely unrelated to true Chrysanthemum. It's clear by the above sources, though, that what she's describing in the body of her entry is true Chrysanthemum despite this major error]

Will protect and bless your home and its occupants, if you plant them around your house or place them inside as a potted plant. If you are feeling troubled and need help forgiving yourself and others, place a Chrysanthemum plant on your altar. It will also help you release any limiting beliefs that are holding you back. To evoke forgiveness and deepen your connection to your spirit, float several flower heads in your bath. In ancient times, carrying a Chrysanthemum flower was thought to protect you against the wrath of the gods if you had broken one of the rules.

'The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants: A Practical Guide to Creating Healing, Protection, and Prosperity using Plants, Herbs, and Flowers; Revised Edition' by Susan Gregg

Many Hebrew sarcophagi have floral decorations, or contain mummified flowers. In one case, 46 plant varieties or genera were identified by a Botanist (including Poppies, Pumpkin, Larkspir, Chrysanthemum, and Pomegranate).

It is mainly a symbol of the sun. Depending on its color, in Floriography it may mean love (red) or truth (white). In China the Chrysanthemum is a symbol of Autumn. In Europe, the Flourist's Chrysanthemum refers to the Feast of All Saints and All Souls, and consequently they are a symbol of "eternal life".

In many regions of Europe, it is a tradition to put the Florist's Chrysanthemum on and around graves. Nowadays the classic large flowered Chrysanthemum is increasingly being replaced by the small and medium flowered species because they are easier to cultivate and can be sold outside the normal mourning period of All Souls as a decorative plant. In Belgium, anyone who dares to pick or steal grave flowers exposes themselves to all sorts of accidents, ghostly dreams, and headaches. The European use of the Chrysanthemum in connection with death, however, contrasts the positive feelings associated with it by many Americans.

'Compendium of Symbolic and Ritual Plants in Europe, Volume II: Herbs' by Marcel de Cleene and Marie Claire Lejeune