Feverfew

Pyréthrum (lat. Pyréthrum) — a genus of perennial herbaceous plants of the Aster family or Compositae (Asteraceae).

Its scientific name was given because of the useful properties of some of its representatives; it derives from the Greek word pyretos ("fever", "heat"). Parthenolide, the active substance contained in the plant, is being studied for therapeutic activity. The popular name of the genus is "chamomile." Plants of this genus are often called chamomiles, as are plants from other genera of the Aster family.

Feverfew, (chrysanthemum parthenium, matricaria, Tanacetum parthenium) - Pyrethrum parthenium, (Matricaria eximia, Chrysanthemum parthenium, Tanacetum parthenium).

Natural range – Eurasia, the Balkan Peninsula and the Caucasus.

A perennial herbaceous plant, cultivated as an annual in temperate countries. The plant is compact, strongly branched, up to 50 cm tall. Leaves pinnately divided or deeply cut, petiolate, softly hairy, light- or yellow-green.

Flower heads (capitula) 1.5-3 cm in diameter; many forms are double; arranged in terminal inflorescences; white or yellow. Begins to bloom 80-100 days after sowing. Blooms abundantly and for an extended period from July until the end of August.

Location: feverfew is undemanding and tolerant of growing conditions. It prefers open or lightly shaded sites with calcareous, light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil.

Care: consists of watering during dry weather and fertilizing. If the plant is grown as a perennial, the faded stems are cut back in autumn and the soil around the plant is mulched. To promote branching, young plants are pinched. Light pruning is recommended to stimulate the development of new flower stalks.

Propagation: generally by seed. In regions with mild winters it can be grown as a perennial. In that case, seeds are sown outdoors in May-June, and at the end of summer seedlings are planted in their permanent location. Plants flower the following year in June. This species can also be propagated by cuttings in mid-summer and by sowing seeds in autumn for overwintering.