Practical
Plants

Anacyclus pyrethrum

Mount Atlas Daisy

a perennial member of the Anacyclus genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.3 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is a pungent acrid herb that stimulates the salivary glands and irritates the tissues, thereby increasing blood flow to the area[2]. It is used externally to treat toothache, facial neuralgia and chronic catarrh[2]. A gargle is used to soothe sore throats[3]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[2]. In Ayurvedic medicine the root is considered to be tonic and is used in the treatment of paralysis and epilepsy[3]. The diluted essential oil in the root is used in mouthwashes and to treat toothaches[3]. This oil should not be used internally, except under professional supervision[3].

Product or use
Acrid
Product or use
Odontalgic

Environment

Range
Mediterranean - Spain, Morocco and Algeria.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - requires about 3 weeks cold stratification. Germination is best at a temperature around 13 - 16°c[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer[1]. Cuttings of softwood in the spring[1][2].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[1]. Plants are intolerant of excessive wet, especially in the winter, and will do better if covered by a pane of glass in the winter[1]. This species is hardy to at least -5°c, probably more if the ground is very well-drained[1].

References

  1. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  2. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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