The genus Chrysanthemum, a group of perennial flowering plants commonly known as “mums,” originated overwhelmingly in East Asia. Today’s cultivated chrysanthemums, prized globally for their autumn bloom, are complex hybrids tracing their genetic roots back to a small number of wild species. The native habitat of these foundational species is concentrated in a specific geographical area of the Asian continent. The history of the chrysanthemum involves long-standing human cultivation, transforming a simple wildflower into a blossom of immense cultural and horticultural significance.
The Primary Center of Origin
The definitive geographical center of diversity for the genus Chrysanthemum is China, where the majority of the approximately 40 wild species are found. This region is home to over 20 native species, with 13 of those being endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. Wild chrysanthemums, like Chrysanthemum indicum and C. morifolium, are typically much smaller, yellow, and resemble a simple daisy, bearing little resemblance to modern hybrids.
These original species thrive in the temperate zones of central and southern China, often found growing in mountainous areas, grasslands, and along roadsides. The wild populations exhibit significant genetic variation, a common characteristic of a center of origin. This genetic complexity, including varying chromosome numbers (polyploidy), provided the raw material for thousands of years of human selection and breeding.
Early Domestication and Historical Spread in Asia
The history of cultivating chrysanthemums began in China, with written records mentioning its use as far back as the 15th century B.C. Initially, the plant was cultivated not for ornamental beauty but as a flowering herb, used for medicinal purposes and in teas. This practical use led to its deep integration into Chinese culture, where it became known as one of the “Four Gentlemen” plants, symbolizing integrity, tranquility, and longevity.
The chrysanthemum’s cultural significance spread from China to neighboring countries, especially Korea and Japan, between the 5th and 8th centuries A.D. Japan was captivated by the flower, which they call Kiku, adopting a single-flowered chrysanthemum as the crest and official seal of the Emperor. The flower became a symbol of royalty and nobility in Japan, with the imperial family’s throne still referred to as the Chrysanthemum Throne.
Global Expansion and Modern Hybridization
The chrysanthemum remained largely confined to Asia for millennia before making its way to the Western world in the 17th century. A French merchant named Pierre Louis Blancard brought the first cultivars from China to Europe in 1688. Only one of the three varieties he imported survived, becoming known as ‘Old Purple,’ and marking the flower’s establishment outside of Asia.
The genus was formally named Chrysanthemum by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, combining the Greek words chrysos (gold) and anthemon (flower) in reference to the original yellow blooms. Breeders in Europe and North America began to hybridize the imported Asian stock with local species to create varieties suitable for different climates. This global breeding effort, which accelerated in the 19th and 20th centuries, resulted in the vast array of colors, forms, and sizes—from pompons to spiders—that constitute the over 20,000 cultivars known worldwide today.