The chrysanthemum genus encompasses a wide array of flowering plants, but the specific form most recognized in the floral trade is the Florist’s Chrysanthemum, a collection of complex commercial hybrids. Often referred to simply as “mums,” these cultivated varieties are typically derived from the species Chrysanthemum morifolium, a plant originally native to East Asia. The massive global floriculture industry depends on these hybrids for their long vase life, structural diversity, and year-round availability. This specific plant type is identified through its fundamental physical characteristics, the intricate structure of its blooms, and the deliberate methods used for its commercial presentation.
Defining the Florist’s Chrysanthemum
The Florist’s Chrysanthemum is botanically classified as Chrysanthemum × morifolium, a perennial hybrid created through centuries of cross-breeding multiple species within the Asteraceae family. While the plant is inherently a bushy perennial, commercial production often treats it as an annual, grown specifically for its perfect, uniform flowers. The plant naturally has dense, woody stems and dark green foliage that is typically lobed or serrated.
The vast color palette available is a result of extensive horticultural selection, providing shades of white, yellow, pink, red, bronze, and purple. True blue is the only color absent from the natural range of chrysanthemum pigmentation. Unlike the more rugged, low-maintenance garden mums, commercial varieties are generally more tender and engineered for controlled environments to ensure consistent bloom quality. This focus on perfect form and color makes the florist’s mum a versatile and reliable cut flower.
Primary Identification by Flower Form
Identifying specific florist’s chrysanthemum varieties relies heavily on the structure and arrangement of their composite flower head, which is an arrangement of many tiny florets. The National Chrysanthemum Society recognizes 13 distinct classes based on how the two types of florets—the petal-like ray florets and the small, central disk florets—are displayed. These classes describe the shape of the bloom, whether the petals curve inward or outward, and if the center is visible.
The Incurve forms represent the largest and most dramatic blooms, where the ray florets smoothly curve inward and upward, creating a tight, spherical, or globe-like shape. The Irregular Incurve is the most massive type, with florets loosely curving to fully conceal the center, often resulting in a ruffled “skirted” appearance at the base. In contrast, Reflex forms feature ray florets that curve distinctly downward and outward from the center, creating a flattened, overlapping effect. These two forms are often prized for their large size and high petal count, making them the classic “football mums.”
Smaller, more delicate forms are also common, such as the Pompon, which is characterized by small, dense, and nearly perfectly round blooms. The florets on a Pompon are tightly packed and form a dense, button-like sphere. The Anemone form presents a unique structure, featuring a prominent, cushion-like dome of elongated disk florets in the center, encircled by one or more rows of flat ray florets. Another distinctive type is the Spoon form, where the ray florets are straight and tubular for most of their length, flaring out at the tip. These structural differences are the primary criteria for distinguishing the thousands of cultivars available to florists.
Understanding Commercial Presentation
Beyond the botanical classification of bloom structure, florists and growers use specific terms to identify chrysanthemums based on their growth habit and cultivation method. The main distinction in the floral trade is between the Standard Mum and the Spray Mum. This difference is achieved through disbudding, not genetics. A Standard Mum produces a single, very large flower head because all side buds are removed, directing energy into the apical bud. Conversely, the Spray Mum retains its lateral buds, resulting in a stem with multiple, smaller blooms branching off the main stalk.
The year-round availability of all these forms is managed through the precise control of light, a process known as photoperiodism. Chrysanthemums are classified as short-day plants, meaning they require continuous darkness, typically exceeding nine hours, to initiate flower bud formation. Commercial growers manipulate this natural response by using artificial lighting to extend the day length during vegetative growth, and then covering plants with opaque blackout cloths to create the necessary long nights for scheduled flowering.