NAME: Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium
FAMILY: Compositae
COMMON NAMES: Pyrethrum, Pyrethrum daisy, Dalmatian pyrethrum, Dalmatian chrysanthemum
LOCAL NAMES: Dalmatian chrysanthemum
MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: Pyrethrum is a perennial plant with blue-green leaves and grow to 45 to 100 cm (18 to 39 in) in height. It has a white petaled daisy-like flowers with yellow centers.
USEFUL PART(s): flower heads, seed
GENERAL USES:
Food
Ornamental plant
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
China, Japan, Korea, America, Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Ecuador
WHY IS IT GREEN?
Fever
Wounds
general debility
Insecticide.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Chrysanthemum plants have been shown to reduce indoor air pollution
Pyrethrins are harmful to fish, but are far less toxic to mammals and birds compare to other insecticides
FUN FACT
Pyrethrins gotten from the flowers are among safest insecticides for use around food.
Insecticides from Pyrethrum are Biodegradable
FURTHER READINGS
Jones GDG (1973) Pyrethrum production. In: Casida JE (ed) Pyrethrum, the natural insecticide. Academic Press, New York, pp 17–22.
Karki A, Rajbhandary SB (1984) Clonal propagation of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium Vis. (pyrethrum) through tissue culture. Pyrethrum Post 15(4): 118–121.
Roest S, Bokelmann GS (1973) Vegetative propagation of Chrysantheum cinerariaefolium in vitro. Sci Hortic 1:120–122.
Cassada JE (ed) (1973) Pyrethrum — the natural insecticide. Academic Press, London New York.