Chrysanthemum

In some European countries, white chrysanthemums are a symbol of death and are used for funerals or to put on graves.  In China, Japan and Korea, white chrysanthemums represent lamentation and grief.   In the United States, the flower is usually regarded as positive and cheerful.  The chrysanthemum is said to have been favored by Tao Qian, an influential Chinese poet, and is symbolic of nobleness.

Australians have a tradition of giving chrysanthemums to their mothers on mother's day. Chrysanthemum plants have been shown to reduce indoor air pollution by the NASA Clean Air Study.

My third semester in summer1994, our teacher Ms.C (she got the longest and the most difficult name in the world beginning with C) gave everyone a topic to write about and submit it in a week.  Unfortunately, I got to write about chrysanthemum as we just finished John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums".  I wish if it was as easy to find out about almost anything as it is now.  Just type the word and it lists down the sites on the screen.  I spent the whole week visiting libraries including the biggest one in Jamaica but couldn't collect enough facts to write about this strange flower.  Finally, on the last day, one of my cousin who was doing master in literature helped me out with very little information describing chrysanthemums as the symbol of sorrow and sadness and their importance in literature.  Based on the data given, I made up the story to extend the assignment and got B.

At that time, I didn't know that chrysanthemums come in many colors and are used as insecticides and for medicinal use. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0000/ai_2603000033/

Had no idea that they grow in Pakistan and are celebrated as well, still don't know what are they called in Urdu.   http://networkedblogs.com/fJGD