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Chrysanthemum morifolium
| Family Name: | Asteraceae (Compositae) |
| Common Name: | Chrysanthemum, Mums, Kekwa, 菊花 |
Name
| Family Name | |
| Genus Epithet | |
| Species Epithet | |
| Common Names |
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | China. Introduced as an ornamental to North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and South Africa. |
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Exotic (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a herbaceous perennial shrub, growing up to 1 m high with erect or sometimes procumbent stem. |
| Foliage | Leaves are pubescent (covered with fine hair), olive green, have petioles of 1 - 2 cm long. Leaf blade is ovate to oblong ovate, measuring 4 - 10 cm by 3 - 5 cm, deeply lobed. Base is truncate to subcordate. |
| Stems | Stems are erect or ascending, sometimes procumbent. They are sparsely branched. |
| Flowers | Solitary (although sometimes can appear in loose corymb), creamy yellow in colour. |
| Cultivation | This plant prefers cool climate and requires to be grown in areas with mean temperature of 16 - 24 degree Celsius. Grow in fertile, moist and well-drained soil rich with organic matter. Allow the soil to dry between watering. Avoid watering from above to avoid the risk of diseases. Pinch the tips when plant is about 15 cm tall to promote bushiness. |
| Etymology | The genus Chrysanthemum means golden-flower. The specific epithet morifolium means mulberry-leaved, in reference to the leaf shape that looks like those of mulberry. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts (Edible Leaves, Edible Flowers) Food (Fruit & Vegetable) [Others]: In Japan, small flowers are used as garnish on sashimi. Flowers are made into tea and drunk without or with little sugar or honey. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | The shrub is planted as annuals and used as cut flowers for their flowerheads that ranges from red to orange, yellow and lavender. |
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Potential Problems | Easily infested by aphids and white flies. |
| Diseases | White Rust. Symptoms include white to yellow spots on undersides of leaves. |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Pinnately Lobed / Pinnatifid |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Truncate / Square, Cordate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Yellow / Golden |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Inflorescence Type | Compound Head / Capitulum |
Image Repository
| Images |
Others
| Master ID | 33604 |
| Species ID | 8018 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |