Mums, short for chrysanthemums, are flowering plants of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae. They are native to East Asia and northeastern Europe, and countless horticultural varieties and cultivars exist. Mums are popular in the fall and are often used to add a punch of autumnal tones to landscapes.

In addition to being a type of flower, "mum" is also a term used in Texas to refer to a large arrangement of ribbons, bells, charms, and a button sewn together and designed to be worn around a woman’s neck. The male counterpart to a mum is the garter, which is a smaller, less flashy version of the mum designed to fit around a man’s arm. This tradition began in the 1930s when Baylor University hosted the first-ever homecoming celebration in the state. Today, mums and garters are often sold and put together by PTA moms in a sweatshop-like environment, and a portion of the funds usually goes to benefit the school.

To summarize, mums are a type of flowering plant, but in Texas, "mum" also refers to a large arrangement of ribbons, bells, charms, and a button sewn together and designed to be worn around a woman’s neck.