キク科エゾギク属の一年草で、学名は Callistephus chinensis。英名は China aster。
The China aster (Callistephus chinensis) belongs to Asteraceae (the Aster family). It is an annual herb that is native to east-northern China and Siberia. It was introduced into Japan in the middle days of Edo Era (1603-1868). This herb prefers cool environment and abhors continuous cropping. It can reach 30-80 cm in height. The red, pink, purple or white flowers bloom from July to August. There are many flower types; single, double or pompon blossoms. It is also called "翠菊" (cui ju) in Chinese.
In Korean, it's called "kwa-kkot" (과꽃). This name originates from a legend about a widow named "Chugeum" (추금) who lived near Mount Baekdu and remained chaste while tending to the flowers her husband had cultivated. There is a theory that the name evolved from "widow's flower" (kwa-bu-kkot: 과부꽃), evolved into "kwa-kkot" (과꽃).