YES. WE HAVE NO CHRYSANTHEMUMS

  We are told that chrysanthemums are 'poisonous to humans'. Is the entire plant poisonous or is it only the flowers or perhaps the leaves or just the root ? If you are keen to orchestrate your own exit how do you go about killing yourself with potted 'mums ? Can't you imagine a kitchen table conversation such as, " Look at this dear. Sick Kids' Hospital says that chrysanthemums are poisonous. Did you know that ? And we just sent some to your mother".
     When they say chrysanthemum do they mean all plants that were once placed in that genus or only the five or six that still retain the well-known name ?  Do they know that the perennial forms have been split into a number of new genera, leaving only a few annuals that you are hardly likely to encounter except perhaps the Corn Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum ? If they don't know they had better find out and if they still believe that they are poisonous they should scurry and quickly issue a corrigendum listing the plants' new names.
     The popular Fall 'Mum was never quite sure of its name but usually answered to Chrysanthemum x morifolium but is now to be known as Dendranthemum x grandiflorum. This changed caused a hullabaloo in the florist industry and the last I heard it is to be re-instated as a Chrysanthemum. No use wasting a perfectly good name.   
     The new names for the other plants that we once called Chrysanthemums include, Ajania, Argyranthemum, Leucanthemum and Nipponanthemum.
 The familiar roadside Ox Eye Daisy and most Shasta Daisies are in Leucanthemum.
     When I checked in the A.M.A. Handbook I found that the name chrysanthemum appears only once. It does not get the usual treatment afforded to other plants. It is included only in a four page list of plants causing contact dermatisis. This I take to mean that if you are a florist cutting stems and arranging bouquets five days a week, you could develop a skin rash.
     Mothers-in law everywhere will love to receive your display of affection by card or letter, the more so if they accompany a potted chrysanthemum.