Callistephus
(from kallistos, most beautiful, and stephos, a crown; in allusion to the appendages on the ripe fruit). China Aster. SYN. Callistemma. ORD. Compositae. A hardy annual, requiring an open situation and a rich loamy soil. Involucre of many fringed bracts; receptacle naked, pitted; pappus double. Propagated by seed, sown in a hotbed in March, the seedlings being hardened off and transplanted in May. For culture of these much grown plants and their varieties, see Aster.
C. chinensis (Chinese).* fl-heads dark purple. July. l. ovate, coarsely toothed, stalked; stem ones sessile, cuneate at the base. Stem hispid. Branches with single heads. h. 2ft. China, 1731.