What Is the Difference Between Heteropappus hispidus and Wild Chrysanthemum? A Quick Guide to Telling Them Apart

Every year from July to September, large numbers of Heteropappus hispidus grow on wasteland, roadsides and grassland, and they are very attractive; however, because they resemble wild chrysanthemums, many people think they are the same plant, but they are not, so what is the difference between Heteropappus hispidus and wild chrysanthemum?

1. What is the difference between Heteropappus hispidus and wild chrysanthemum?

Difference 1: Different family and genus

Heteropappus hispidus is a one- or two-year-old herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae, tribe Astereae, genus Heteropappus; wild chrysanthemum is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae, tribe Anthemideae, genus Chrysanthemum.

Difference 2: Different appearance

The stems of Heteropappus hispidus are 30-50cm tall, sometimes up to 150cm, single, sometimes several clustered together; the basal and lower leaves are obovate, with a blunt or rounded tip, entire or with sparse teeth; the flowers are borne singly at the ends of the branches and arranged in a corymb; the fruit is obovate, flat, with fine ribbed edges, and densely hairy; wild chrysanthemum plants are 0.25-1 m tall, with long or short creeping underground stems. The stems are upright or spreading, branched, or with corymb-like inflorescence branches only at the top of the stem; the inflorescence is nearly spherical, 0.3-1cm in diameter, brownish-yellow. The involucre consists of 4-5 layers of bracts. There is one row of ligulate flowers, yellow, shrunken and curled; the tubular flowers are numerous and deep yellow.

Difference 3: Different flowering period

Heteropappus hispidus flowers from July to September and fruits from August to September; wild chrysanthemum flowers from June to November.

Difference 4: Different medicinal effects

The root of Heteropappus hispidus is used as medicine; it can detoxify and reduce swelling, and treats sores and swellings and snake bites; wild chrysanthemum is mildly cold in nature and can dispel wind-heat and reduce swelling and detoxify. It can treat conditions such as boils and carbuncles, sore and swollen throat, red eyes caused by wind-fire, and headache and dizziness.

2. How do you grow Heteropappus hispidus?

1. Light

We all know that it often grows in wasteland, so it is clear that it is relatively suitable for outdoor cultivation, and when growing it, light is very important. But although it is a plant that loves light, it cannot tolerate strong light or western sun; if the light is too strong or it gets the western sun, its plants are easily scorched. So when it is getting light, you must pay attention to this point.

Generally, when planting it, we try as much as possible to plant it in an environment with side shading, but it also cannot be planted in shade or under a large tree, because although this blocks strong light, it easily causes poor growth, so that when it grows up the tree shape is smaller and the branches and leaves are sparser; in addition, the leaves also lose their luster, and it may even fail to bloom later, so the light must be well regulated.

2. Temperature

Heteropappus hispidus is actually relatively tolerant of cold, and generally it will not be frozen to death even at a low temperature of minus 20 degrees. Although it is relatively tolerant of low temperatures, when growing it, it cannot be planted in a drafty spot, otherwise it will easily become leggy. And it can also overwinter smoothly when the temperature is lower in winter.

3. Soil

Heteropappus hispidus generally prefers fertile, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, so when growing it, try to choose soil that meets this requirement, as only then can it be grown better. In addition, it can also adapt to slightly alkaline soil.

4. Water

Anyone who has learned about it knows that its roots are fleshy, so it is very afraid of waterlogging, which means that when growing it, we need to control the water somewhat; when watering it normally, be sure to use an appropriate amount, just keeping the soil slightly moist.

5. Choose a good transplanting time

Because it is very intolerant of transplanting, when growing it, if it needs to be transplanted, then we need to choose the time well; generally, 10 to 15 days before it sprouts or when it has just finished flowering and has not yet leafed out is the best time to transplant. In addition, 4 to 5 days before lifting the seedlings, it should also be given a thorough watering, so that the plant can fully absorb water and is more likely to survive after transplanting.