Chrysanthemum coronarium
Family: Asteraceae
Annual. Native to Eurasia. This is a cultivated strain
originally from China, black-seeded, extremely fast growing and vigorous,
making exceptional edible greens. To prepare, steam lightly and serve
over rice. The flowers are large, bright yellow and also edible.
Shungiku is high in vitamins and very good for alkalinizing the blood.
Cultivation: Prefers cool weather for growth. Sow in greenhouse
and transplant when very young, or sow directly in garden in early spring
or in late summer for autumn greens. Space plants 1 foot apart.
Flowers to 2 feet tall. May be harvested for greens 40 days after
sowing, when the plants are about eight inches tall.
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