Tanacetum coccineum - Pyrethrum

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Synonyms:	Chrysanthemum coccineum. Willd. C. roseum. Pyrethrum roseum.
Range:	W. Asia to the Caucasus.

Tanacetum coccineum (Pyrethrum) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
Pyrethrum will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Pyrethrum will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Pyrethrum prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Pyrethrum can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Sunny dry mountainous habitats[169]. Sub-alpine meadows in the Caucasus[187].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils so long as they are not very heavy or wet[200]. Thrives in full sun but also succeeds in light dappled shade though it flowers less well in such a situation[200]. Another report says that it requires a sunny position in a well-drained alkaline or neutral soil[169]. Prefers a slightly acid sandy soil[187]. 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[187, 200]. Very suitable for naturalizing in a summer meadow.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The dried flower heads are used as an insecticide[46, 61, 114, 169, 171], they are a source of the commercially available insecticide 'pyrethrum', which is non-toxic to mammals[238]. This species is less effective than T. cinerariifolium[238]. Only the yellow disk rays contain pyrethrins[169]. Once dried, the flowers or the powder retain their insecticidal properties almost indefinitely[238].

• Insecticide - Kills insects.

Cultivars

'' - No entries have been made for this species as yet.

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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