| Callistephus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Astereae[1] |
| Genus: | Callistephus |
| Species: | C. chinensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees |
|
Callistephus ( /kæˈlɪstɨfəs/)[2] is a genus of flowering plants, in the Asteraceae (daisy family); the genus includes only one species, C. chinensis, the China Aster.
It is native to China, and is an annual plant, growing to 20–80 cm tall with branched stems. The leaves are alternate, 4–8 cm long, ovate, and coarsely toothed. The flowerheads are variable, with either all ray florets or an outer ring of ray florets surrounding central disc florets; the ray florets are white to purple, the disc florets, if present, usually yellow.
It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens, and numerous cultivars are available; the cultivars are grouped by size, with very dwarf (up to 20 cm), dwarf (20–40 cm), intermediate (40–60 cm) and tall (60–80 cm). In Japan, the species is very important in the floriculture industry for cut flowers. It is still referred to by many horticulturalists as Aster chinensis.
Varieties include Emerald Isles.