Presented by the Smith College Botanic Garden
A Look at Different Forms of the Chrysanthemum
Like other members of the Asteraceae, the chrysanthemum produces a "flower" which is actually many florets grouped together into a single head. Each head is composed to a central group of short disk florets surrounded by rings of longer ray florets. All classes of chrysanthemums have both types of florets, but in some cases the disc florets are not visible. Mums are classified according to the type and arrangement of the florets:
SINGLE
Daisy-like flower; heads with a central "eye" of disk flowers
POMPON
Disk flowers are hidden; heads are small and globular
ANEMONE
Disk flowers form a large central hemisphere
INCURVED
Ray flower petals curve upward to form a dense sphere
SPOON
Ray flower petals are tubular, flattening out into a "spoon" shape at the tip
REFLEXED
Ray flower petals curve downward to form an "umbrella" shape
QUILL
Ray flower petals are entirely tubular and radiate out from the center of the head
INTERMEDIATE
Ray flower petals incurve slightly, formation is loose
SPIDER OR THREAD
Ray flower petals are long and slender, and curve or hook upward at the ends

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