Dendranthema indicum (L.) Des Moul.
Family
Compositae
Synonyms
Chrysanthemum indicum L.
Vernacular Names
| Malaysia | Kekwa. |
| English |
False chamomile, Indian chrysanthemum, winter aster. |
| Indonesia | Sruni alas (Javanese). |
| Thailand | Benchamaat suan (Central). |
| Philippines | Mansanilla, dolontas (Tagalog). |
| Vietnam |
Kim c[us]c, c[us]c hoa v[af]ng. |
| French | Chrysanthème des Indes. |
Geographical Distributions
Dendranthema indicum grows wild in Japan and China, Taiwan, Java, and the Philippines. It is cultivated in many countries all over the world as an ornamental. In India, Vietnam, China and Japan it is cultivated as a medicinal, and has become naturalised on a small scale.
Description
Dendranthema indicum is an erect or ascending, perennial, aromatic, pubescent herb, 30-60 cm tall, with stolons and rhizomes.
The leaves are ovate to oblong-ovate in outline, 3-5 cm x 2.5-4 cm in size, pinnately lobed with 2-3 lobes on each side and abruptly narrowed at the base.
The peduncle is short, involucral bracts are oblong or elliptical and equalling the achenes in size, with the heads are 1.5-2.5 cm in diametre. The petal of ligulate flower is 11-13 mm long.
Ecology / Cultivation
Several varieties are recognised within Dendranthema indicum, one of which is Dendranthema indicum var. edule (Kitam.) Kitam. which is cultivated as a vegetable in China. The wild type grows on sunny, fertile and humid locations, up to 1000 m altitude. The optimum temperature range is from 15°C to 30°C.
Line Drawing / Photograph
References
- Plant Resources of South East-Asia No.12(2): Medicinal and poisonous plants 2.
