Chrysanthemum spp, C pyrethrum, C cineraiafolium, C coronarium
Folk Names: Anthemis, Insect Flowers, Insect Plants, Mum, Persian Pellitory, Pompons,
Pyrethrum; C cineraiafolium: Dalmatian Pellitory; C coronarium: Chop Suey Shungiku, Garland
Chrysanthemum
Description: Being a mountain plant, the Chrysanthemum’s ideal environment is a dry, stony hillsides and lots of sun. An overly moist summer can kill the plants. Growing two to two and a half feet, the plants begin to flower at the end of May, and the buds should only be collected in dry weather. The insecticide properties of the buds are most active just before the flower is about to open. Only the flowers have insecticidal properties. The plant may continue to grow from six to twenty years.
Effects: strong
Planet: Sun, Mercury, Uranus
Element: fire
Associated Deities: T'ao Yuan-Ming
Traditions:
During China's Choyo-no-Sekku or the Kiku no Sekku, Chrysanthemum Day,
chrysanthemum wine is drunk on the ninth day of the ninth moon to ensure long life. At the
Chrysanthemum Doll Fete, lifelike clay figures are dressed in robes made of fresh
chrysanthemums and arranged as parts of legendary and historical scenes. The celebration is also
held to honor the poet T'ao Yuan-Ming who flavored the flower which only blooms in the
autumn. After his death, he became the god of the flower.
Chung Yeung, the Festival of High Places, is a Chinese holiday held on the eighth of October to honor the legendary scholar, Huan Ching. Living in the village of Joo-an more than 2000 years ago, he was warned by a sage to take his family into the high hills to save them from a disaster that awaited everyone in the village below. After warning everyone, he took his family away and later returned to find every living thing in the village dead. The day is celebrated by hiking and kite flying which is thought to carry away impending evils. Kites often are flown in the form of bats, fish, and butterflies, creatures of good omen. Picnics include chrysanthemum wine and special cakes said to bring good luck and career advancement when eaten in high places.
The smell of Chrysanthemums in a dream is a sign of hopes fulfilled. Increased social activities are indicated if you picked colored ones, while picking white Chrysanthemums signifies loss and confusion. Giving them means an unexpected increase in status through influential friends.
According to the Victorian Language of Flowers, a red chrysanthemum indicates love, while a white one means truth, sincerity, or belief. Yellow flowers are a sign of slighted love, bronze means friendship, that the friendship is valued, or that romantic love is impossible. A Chinese chrysanthemum is a symbol of good cheer in adversity.
Magic:
An infusion of the flower is used as a cure for drunkenness. It is also said to promote
mental health.
Grown, the plant protects the home and garden from evil spirits. Wearing the flowers will ward
off the wrath of the gods. It is also considered a flower for the dead and is used in rituals of death
and dying.
Known Combinations:
none
Medical Indications: Parts Used: flower buds
Insecticide lotions can be made from infusions of the flower buds.
Nutrition:
Chrysanthemum leaves (shungiku) are quite edible. Unfortunately, these are a different
plant than the ornamental Chrysanthemum. Edible Chrysanthemum comes from the
Chrysanthemum coronarium. Choose lush green bunches that have thin stems. Avoid
overcooking, as they become mushy easily. Chrysanthemum leaves are used in salads, soups and
nabe. The flowers are also edible, but are used sparingly. The stems can be stir-fried, and the
sprouted seeds used as a snack.
Mercantile Uses:
The Chrysanthemum is not called Insect Flower and Insect Plant because it attracts them.
Rather, the flower buds were used in a powdered form to kill small pest insects on plants and
crops. It is harmless to humans and so can also be made into an insecticide lotion. It is also a
fumigant when burned.