Chrysanthemum
Dendranthema indicum

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Dendranthema indicum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. 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.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Found wild in most habitats. Grasslands on mountain slopes, thickets, wet places by rivers, fields, roadsides, saline places by seashores, under shrubs 100 - 2900 m. Nearly throughout China.

E. Asia - Eastern China, Central and Southern Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

The flower heads are pickled in vinegar. Young leaves - cooked. 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.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The whole plant is antiphlogistic, blood tonic, depurative, febrifuge and vulnerary. The plant is used in China to treat eye ailments. In conjunction with black pepper it is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea. The leaves are depurative. They are used in China in the treatment of migraine. The flowers are aperient, bitter, hypotensive, stomachic and vasodilator. They contain the glycoside chrysanthemin that yields glucose and cyanidin on hydrolysis, together with stachydrine and an essential oil. 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. They have a rejuvenating effect when used over a long period of time. An essential oil obtained from the plant contains chrysanthenone, this is active on the brain centre affected by Parkinson's disease.

Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.

Aperient: A mild laxative.

Bitter: Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.

Blood tonic: Is this any different to a blood purifier?

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Eczema: Used in the treatment of eczema - a chronic health condition that affects the skin, causing redness, dryness, itching and infections.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

VD: Used in the treatment of venereal disease

Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.

Other

Rating:

The seed contains about 16% of a semi-drying oil, but no information is given as to its uses. The seed is rather small, commercial extraction is probably not viable.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Succeeds in most well-drained fertile soils in a sunny position. Plants tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c and should succeed outdoors in most parts of Britain. This species is closely related to D. x grandiflorum (the cultivated chrysanthemum) according to one report whilst another says that it is a parent of the cultivated chrysanthemum. It has been proposed (1999) to restore this species to Chrysanthemum as C. indicum L. since the plant is so widely known under this name. When bruised, the foliage has a pungent refreshing fragrance that is somewhat lemon-like and reminiscent of chamomile.

Propagating it: Seed - 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.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chrysanthemum indicum. L.