The humble chrysanthemum is one of those flowers that has a nostalgic place in the background of my life, with memories of potted plants as gifts, the smell of the plants in our various gardens(sometimes the potted gifts planted out!), a stunning piece of Chinese satin embroidered with chrysanthemum that came to New Zealand by boat in the early forties (we think) and now made up into a comforter... and the idea of giving your Mum chrysanthemum on Mother's Day here in the Autumn in the Southern hemisphere.
The name comes from the Greek words for gold - 'chrysos' and flower - 'anthemon'
Apparently having chrysanthemum flowers inside is an effective way to reduce indoor air pollution, according to the NASA Clean Air Study.
But who knew that the leaves are used in Chinese cuisine as a green steamed or
boiled, or to enhance the flavour of snakemeat soup?
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