Practical
Plants

Tanacetum coccineum

Pyrethrum

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Material uses

The dried flower heads are used as an insecticide[8][9][2][3][4], they are a source of the commercially available insecticide 'pyrethrum', which is non-toxic to mammals[7]. This species is less effective than T. cinerariifolium[7]. Only the yellow disk rays contain pyrethrins[3]. Once dried, the flowers or the powder retain their insecticidal properties almost indefinitely[7].

Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
W. Asia to the Caucasus.
Habitat
Sunny dry mountainous habitats[3]. Sub-alpine meadows in the Caucasus[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the pot to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once 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. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils so long as they are not very heavy or wet[6]. Thrives in full sun but also succeeds in light dappled shade though it flowers less well in such a situation[6]. Another report says that it requires a sunny position in a well-drained alkaline or neutral soil[3]. Prefers a slightly acid sandy soil[5]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.2 to 7. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named forms selected for their ornamental value[5][6]. Very suitable for naturalizing in a summer meadow.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Chakravarty. H. L. The Plant Wealth of Iraq.

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  3. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

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  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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