chrysanthemum

/kri san"theuh meuhm/, n.

1. any of several composite plants of the genus Chrysanthemum, as C. leucanthemum, the oxeye daisy, having white ray flowers with a yellow center.

2. any cultivated variety of the plant C. morifolium, native to China, and of other species of Chrysanthemum, notable for the diversity of color and size of their autumnal flowers.

3. the flower of any such plant.

[1570-80; < L < Gk chrysánthemon, equiv. to chrys- CHRYS- + ánthemon flower, akin to ánthos; see ANTHO-]

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Any of the ornamental plants that make up the genus Chrysanthemum, in the composite family.

The genus includes about 100 species native primarily to subtropical and temperate areas of the Old World. Cultivated species, often called mums, have large flower heads; those of wild species are much smaller. Most species have aromatic, alternate leaves. Some have both disk and ray flowers in the heads; others lack ray flowers. Costmary (C. balsamita), pyrethrum, marguerite, Shasta daisy (hybrid forms of C. maximum), florists' chrysanthemum (C. morifolium), feverfew (C. parthenium), corn marigold (C. segetum), and tansy are popular garden plants. Feverfew and pyrethrum are used in insecticides; feverfew and tansy were formerly used in medicines.

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▪ plant

 genus of ornamental plants in the family Asteraceae, containing about 100 species native primarily to subtropical and temperate areas of the Old World. Cultivated species, often called mums, have large flower heads; those of wild species are much smaller. Most plants of the genus have aromatic leaves that alternate along the stem. Some have both disk and ray flowers in the heads, but others lack ray flowers.

      Costmary (C. balsamita); pyrethrum (C. coccineum); Marguerite, or Paris daisy (C. frutescens); Shasta daisy (hybrid forms of C. maximum); florists' chrysanthemum (C. morifolium); feverfew (C. parthenium); corn marigold (C. segetum); and tansy (C. vulgare) are popular garden plants. Feverfew and pyrethrum are used in insecticides; feverfew and tansy were used in medicines in the past.

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