Arctanthemum is a small genus of perennial, rhizomatous herbs in the daisy family (Asteraceae, tribe Anthemideae). First described as a section of Dendranthema by Nikolai Tzvelev in 1961, it was elevated to genus rank in 1985. The type species is Arctanthemum arcticum. The genus comprises 2–3 species of Arctic and subarctic distribution, sometimes collectively called Arctic daisies.
Plants are low-growing, (2.5–)5–40 cm tall, with a single ascending stem per rosette. The leaves are alternate, somewhat fleshy, fan-shaped to narrowly lanceolate, and typically pinnately-palmately lobed with 3–7 lobes. Foliage may be glabrous or sparsely woolly with basifixed hairs. Flower heads are radiate, borne singly or in small clusters of 2–3. Each head is 13–29 mm across with 22–44 phyllaries in 3–4 series. Ray florets number 14–30, are pistillate and fertile, with white corollas. The central disc contains 140–360 or more bisexual, fertile florets with yellow corollas. The cypselae (fruits) are cylindro-obconic with 5–8(–10) ribs, gland-dotted, and lack a pappus. The chromosome base number is x = 9.
Arctanthemum is placed in the Asian grade of Anthemideae based on molecular phylogenetics, distinct from the closely related Chrysanthemum (syn. Dendranthema) and Hulteniella. The genus is native to Arctic and subarctic regions of northern North America (Alaska, Canada), northern Eurasia (Russia), and northeastern Asia (Pacific coast, Japan, Kuril Islands). Species occupy coastal and alpine habitats, with their fleshy leaves suggesting adaptation to exposed, cold environments.
Etymology
The name Arctanthemum derives from the Greek arktos (northern, referring to the Arctic) and anthemon (flower), alluding to the genus’s Arctic distribution. The common name “Arctic daisies” reflects the same origin.
Distribution
Arctanthemum is native to Arctic and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Species occur in northern North America (Alaska and northern Canada including Hudson Bay), northern Eurasia (Russian Far East and coastal Arctic Russia), and northeastern Asia (Japan, Kuril Islands). The genus occupies coastal and alpine habitats within these high-latitude ranges.
Taxonomy Notes
Arctanthemum was originally described as Dendranthema sect. Arctanthemum by Tzvelev in 1961 before being elevated to full genus rank in 1985 (Novosti Sistematiki Vysshchikh Rastenii 22: 274). Molecular phylogenetics place it in the Asian grade (Group II) of Anthemideae, distinct from Chrysanthemum. The genus Hulteniella has been variously included within or segregated from Arctanthemum; Flora of North America treats them as separate. Some authorities (e.g., Govaerts et al. 2025) synonymize the entire genus under Chrysanthemum, though this is disputed. Tzvelev originally recognized three species, later reducing A. hultenii to a subspecies of A. arcticum. The status of A. kurilense remains dubious.
