Chrysanthemum

NaturalFLOWERSfloral · herbaceous · earthy

HeartPyramid

—Strength

—Tenacity

—Origins

Specimen

Chrysanthemum perfume ingredient — Heart

Chrysanthemum indicum

Definition

Chrysanthemum is a genus of perennial herbaceous flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. The absolute of Chrysanthemum indicum, made by solvent extraction of the flowers, has a rich, floral and herbaceous aroma.

Indian chrysanthemum, mums, chrysanths

Type: Ingredient
Olfactive family: Florals
Subfamily: Classic florals
Cluster: Classic florals
Source: flowers
Chemical class: essential oil; oxygenated monoterpenes predominate

Instruments

Pyramid

TTop

HHeart

BBase

Scent

The absolute has a rich, floral and herbaceous aroma. Its fragrance is described as deep and floral, with earthy and slightly spicy undertones, and it blends floral and herbal notes. The scent is also described as sweet and floral, and as a slightly spicy floral aroma with a natural herbal quality.

In PREMIEREPEAU

DISCOVERY SET7 × 2 ml →EXTRAIT DE PARFUMThe seven extraits →

Terroir & Origins

The Full Story

Chrysanthemums are perennial herbaceous flowering plants in the family Asteraceae that bloom in the autumn. Most species originate from East Asia, and the center of diversity is in China. Many thousands of horticultural varieties and cultivars exist. Chrysanthemum indicum is commonly called Indian chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum indicum grows up to 1 m tall and 0.6 m across. It usually blooms from August to October, producing yellow or white flowers. The most important hybrid is Chrysanthemum × morifolium (syn. C. × grandiflorum ), derived primarily from C. indicum , but also involving other species.

Chrysanthemum tea is a flower-based infusion made from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium or C. indicum, which are most popular throughout East and Southeast Asia. The tea is transparent and ranges from pale to bright yellow in color, with a floral aroma. Chrysanthemum tea is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat respiratory and visual ailments. The flower heads of C. indicum are pickled in vinegar, and the petals can be blanched for use in salads and other dishes. The flower fragrance is the major determinant of the commercial value of chrysanthemum cultivars. Chrysanthemum fragrance has been divided into six categories based on sensory evaluation.

The essential oils of C. indicum and C. morifolium have camphor, borneol, camphene, α-pinene, p-cymene and 1,8-cineole as major constituents. In the oil of C. indicum flower heads, camphor is the major constituent at 36.69%, followed by isoborneol at 7.64%. Oxygenated monoterpenes, represented mainly by camphor, predominate in the oils of both species. The essential oil of C. indicum flower heads is blue and was obtained at a yield of 0.16% v/w. Geographical origin affects the composition of the volatile oil; in C. morifolium from Nigeria the main constituent is cis chrysanthenyl acetate. Camphor and eucalyptol are regarded as parameters for assessing the quality of Flos Chrysanthemi indici.

Camphor, the main constituent of the oil of C. indicum flower heads, is a waxy, colorless solid with a strong aroma. It is classified as a terpenoid and a cyclic ketone. Borneol forms colorless to white lumps with a pungent, camphor-like odor.

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Did You Know?

The imperial crest of Japan is a chrysanthemum, and the institution of the monarchy is also called the Chrysanthemum Throne. In Japan, Chrysanthemum Day is one of the five ancient sacred festivals and is celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th month.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method

The absolute is made by solvent extraction of the flowers. Hydro-distillation is the principal approach for extracting essential oil from Flos Chrysanthemi indici. In hydro-distillation, powdered dried Flos Chrysanthemi indici is refluxed in water, and the oil is collected in the side arm of a Clevenger-type apparatus. Steam distillation, solvent-free microwave extraction and supercritical fluid extraction have also been used to prepare the oil. The highest yield was obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (0.87% v/w, dry weight basis) and the lowest by hydro-distillation (0.42% v/w).

Formula: Complex natural mixture (key constituents: camphor C₁₀H₁₆O; borneol C₁₀H₁₈O; 1,8-cineole)
Botanical: Chrysanthemum indicum
Synonyms: Indian chrysanthemum, mums, chrysanths

IFRA status

See note

No IFRA Standard for the material itself (51st Amendment)

Physical properties

Note: Essential oil and absolute from Chrysanthemum indicum

In Perfumery

Borneol, a major constituent of the oils, is used in perfumery in its laevo form. That form has a balsamic odour type with pine, woody and camphoraceous facets. No PREMIEREPEAU fragrance currently features a chrysanthemum note.

Role in the formula

01blender

02floral note

Available as

essential oil absolute