CHRYSANTHEMUM (Lat., from C:k. xoccr di3Ocitov, chrygon t hem on, from xpty761, ch rysoq, gold -f- di3Ocaov, onawnion„ flo•er), A genus of plants belonging tv the natural order Composihe. The species are natives of northern Europe, the Canary Islands, East Africa, aml the mountain and boreal region of Asia. About one hundred and fifty species have been described. The plants of this genus are characterized by heterogamous heads. with ligulate ray flowers in one row and mostly pistillate and sterile. perfect disk florets. and naked flat or hemispherical receptacles. The plants are free hboomers both in the wild. and cultivated state. The heads are solitary on long peduneles, or eorymbose. Usually the rays spread vide open and are vonspiennusly showy, white.
or rose-purplish in tint, while the disk flowers are for the must part yellow.
The Chinese and Japanese species, Chrysanthe mum hodieuno and Chrysanthemum Sinense, art the prolific parents of the many forms now in cultivation in Europe and the United State-. The diversity of color. shape, and size which has been developed in these dowers is remarkable. They range all the way from the pompon. or button f,.•m, to the huge head that measures nearly eight inches in diameter. and with ray
florets three or four inches in length. In shape they are quilled or plain, double, semi-double. and single. with florets erect or retlexed. They ore of nearly all eolors and shades. The species are generally wanting in fragrance. The dif ferent varieties are obtained from seedlings. Chrysanthemums are generally grown by florists Irmo cuttings and by amateurs in the garden by division. The plant succeeds in either clay or -and, providing the soil is rich and good culti vation is given. Disbudding is practiced to se cure largewell-formed flowers.
Chrysanthcm u m lcucantlrcurrnrr, or oxeye daisy. is a common weed in pastures throughout the Atlantic states. Another species. Chrysanthe mum segetum, is the corn-marigold of Europe. ( hrysonthemum fruleseens, known in France as marguerite, and widely cultivated in that coun try for ornamental purposes, has found its way into other lands, and is grown either in pot cul ture or. where the climate will allow, in the open air. Consult: "Chrysanthemum," in Cor nell Cnircrsity Agri. Exp. Sta. Bulletins 112.136. 147 (Ithaca. 1896, 18)7. 189S): Scott, The Show Chrysanthemum and Its Cultivation, (London, 1S97).