Chrysanthemum × morifolium (Ramat.) Hemsl.

Seruni or chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium) is a herb 0.5-1 meter tall of the Asteraceae family, originating from China and Japan, first entering Indonesia in the 17th century and developed commercially since 1940. Of the roughly 1,000 varieties existing worldwide, its flowers are often steeped into a refreshing chrysanthemum tea. Seruni is traditionally believed to maintain heart health and help with liver detoxification.

Seruni can grow well in places at elevations > 800 m above sea level with soil pH 5.5-6. Its growth favors conditions with air temperature ranging between 20–26 °C and air humidity between 70-80%.

• Roots fibrous.
• Stem green in color with a rounded shape and rough stem surface.
• Leaves serrated edges with lobes and pinnate venation.
• Flowers oblong shaped, oval, smooth edges, tapering ray petal tip, colors vary (white, pink, purple, orange), growing at the tip facing upward. Numerous disc florets, densely clustered in the center, yellow in color. Yellow anthers.
• Fruit white and turns black when mature, oblong, small, covered by a fruit membrane.
• Seeds oblong shaped and very small.

Propagated using seed, cuttings, and tissue culture.

Tannins, saponins, alkaloids, phenolics, catechin, anthocyanins, β-carotene, acacetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin), glycosides, adenine, terpenoids, chrysanth-guaianolide A, B, and C, apressin, volatile oil.

Heart health care, eye and ear health care, improves brain function, balances cholesterol levels, detoxifies toxins in the liver, relieves stress and headaches, improves blood circulation, treats wounds, relieves sore throat, respiratory disorders.

• Pick fresh, blooming, undamaged seruni flowers then separate from the stem and leaves.
• Wash thoroughly with running water, drain.
• Arrange the material on a tray, cover the material with a black cloth. Dry in the sun until completely dry.
• Store in a clean, closed container.

Krisan, Tekwa.