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Chranemum Fun Fac • The name "chrysanthemum" comes from the Greek words "chryos," meaning gold, and "anthemon," meaning flower (the first mums were yellow only). • Chrysanthemum is the birth flower for the month of November as well as the flower symbol for 13th wedding anniversaries. • Botanically, chrysanthemums belong to the Asteraceae (a.k.a. Compositae) family—the aster/daisy/composite family. Asteraceae is one of the largest families in the botanical world, comprising more than 1,600 genera of plants. Other prominent members of this family include Aster, Callistephus (China aster), Helianthus (sunflower), Dahlia, Zinnia, Cosmos, Tagetes (marigold), Centaurea (cornflower), Echinacea (coneflower), Achillea (yarrow), Liatris, Solidago (goldenrod) and Taraxacum (dandelion). • The symbolism of mums varies dramatically from country to country. In some parts of the world, including most parts of the United States, chrysanthemums are associated with joy and optimism as well as autumn and harvest. In many European countries, including Spain, Belgium, France, Italy and Austria, chrysanthemums symbolize death and grief. Chrysanthemums are hugely symbolic in Japan, and they represent different things depending on color, but in general, they represent immortality, rejuvenation and nobility, and they are also symbols of autumn, harvest and goodwill. • Chrysanthemums (ju hua in Mandarin Chinese) have been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine for "cleaning heat and toxin" and "scattering cold" (reducing fever and cold symptoms, especially in early stages). The Chinese have also used parts of these flowers to treat eye pain, headaches, high blood pressure and sore throats. While these uses aren't supported by modern scientific research, they have a lengthy history. • Current research does support some of the medicinal benefits of some of the chemical compounds found in chrysanthemums. Studies have found those compounds may help reduce inflammation, treat osteoporosis, reduce blood sugar levels, prevent Type 2 diabetes, reduce obesity, and curb fever and cold symptoms. NOTE: Be aware that ingesting any parts of chrysanthemums or consuming chrysanthemum tea can trigger allergies and cause side effects including skin irritation, asthma and other respiratory issues, and anaphylaxis. Chemical compounds in chrysanthemums may also adversely interact with some prescription medications, including statins. SOURCE: Healthline Media; healthline.com BLOOM CATEGORIES/SEGMENTS • Disbud (single large bloom per stem) • Spray (branched stems with multiple smaller blooms per stem. Spray mums are often erroneously referred to as "pompon mums" [see "Pompon" in "Bloom Types," below.]) • Miniature Spray (a.k.a. "Santini"; branched stems with multiple miniature blooms per stem) • Micro Spray (branched stems with multiple tiny blooms, typically smaller than a penny. "Brand" names include Deliflor's "Pixel ® " and Dekker's "Madiba ® ") BLOOM TYPES • Decorative ("cushion"-type blooms and "Cremon" disbud mums are included in this category) • Reflex • Incurve (regular, irregular and intermediate. So-called "football" mums fall into this category.) • Spider (a.k.a. Fuji) • Quill • Single (daisy-like flowers; a.k.a. "daisy mums." 'Red Rover' is a disbud mum in this category.) • Pompon (This term is often erroneously used to refer to "spray" chrysanthemums [see "Spray" in "Bloom Categories," above]. Small "button" spray mums are included in this bloom-type category.) • Anemone • Spoon • Thistle/Brush • Unclassified NOTES: Most of these bloom types are available as both disbud and spray mums. Modern hybridizing has produced novelty bloom types, including spoon spider, spoon anemone and spider anemone, among others. Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 41

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