Pyrethrum is a perennial herb of the Asteraceae family, otherwise known as the Asteraceae. The similarity between these representatives of flowers lies in the specific color of the buds. In total, there are more than 100 types of flowers. The origin of the genus began in Europe and North America.
Description of the feverfew flower
Most types of pyrethrum are able to grow in the same place for several years, but there are annual flowers. Shoots have a ribbed surface with slight pubescence, an ascending base and a branching rosette. The stems reach a height of 60-100 cm. Feverfew has a strong and stable root system that can penetrate up to three meters into the ground. The leaves, painted on the outside in a gray with a shade of green and on the inside in an ashy tone, are dissected at the ends and arranged in a regular order.
The leaves located in the root part of the bush are distinguished by the presence of petioles. Petioles in comparison with leaf plates look many times longer. Closer to the crown of the shoots, their length decreases.
The diameter of the flower baskets of the plant is from 5 to 6 cm. The baskets are collected in the form of thyroid inflorescences formed from tubular marginal buds. The color of the flowers ranges from white to dark red.
The bud opening period is at the end of May. The fruit of pyrethrum is a ribbed seed capsule with a drilled crown. Perennial seed is characterized by high germination rate for two years.
Planting pyrethrum in open ground
Growing pyrethrum from seeds
The seeds that were collected on the site are not able to reproduce the signs of the mother bush. To get feverfew of a particular variety or color, it is best to purchase seeds from a specialist horticultural store.
Before sowing pyrethrum seeds, they are mixed with sand. Sowing is recommended in March. Planting depth no more than 5 mm. Seeds scattered over the surface of the substrate are sprinkled with earth and moistened with a spray bottle.
To accelerate the germination of pyrethrum seedlings, the containers are covered with film or glass and stored in a lighted room at room temperature. When green sprouts appear, the film is removed. When the seedlings develop a pair of strong leaves, they are seated in other pots or glasses. After the seedlings are hardened, the feverfew is again planted only in open ground.
In the south, pyrethrum is grown from seeds.Sowing is carried out in the fall so that the material is stratified during the winter.
Wild flower plantings prefer to grow on soils with a nutritious loose medium and good drainage properties. Perennials are oppressed by marginal and dry soils, lowlands, which are often flooded. Excessive waterlogging of the root system is fraught with the death of the plant. The danger increases in cold weather. The flower loves moderate light, so the site for planting pyrethrum should only be illuminated for half the day.
Seedlings are planted at a distance of at least 25 cm from each other. At the end of planting, the flower bed is watered. At first, seedlings need protection from the sun's rays. Flowering in perennials is observed only after a year.
Caring for feverfew in the garden
Feverfew care measures are quite simple, but require regular adherence. After the flower gains strength and adapts to a new place, it will no longer be afraid of any weeds that appear on the site. The need for weeding the flower beds is felt only at the beginning of the growing season. Do not forget about soil mulching, which will save a lot of time in the future when leaving. In order for the plant to develop normally and delight with beautiful flowering, it is necessary to adhere to regular watering. The moistened soil around the main trunk of the bushes is loosened to prevent crust formation.
Mineral and organic feeding is suitable for this perennial. Excessive nitrogen application can provoke greenery build-up and drown out flowering. Overripe manure has a beneficial effect on the development of the root system and shoots.
Flower shoots require a garter as they grow. By cutting off the first flower stalks, it will be possible to get the re-flowering of the bushes. Without transplantation, feverfew is grown for no more than four years. When the stems begin to branch too much, the number of blossoming buds decreases sharply. From this it follows that it is time to divide the bushes and replant to a new place.
Wintering pyrethrum
When the main life processes of the perennial slow down, the shoots are cut off at the root. The plot is covered with a layer of peat mulch or spruce branches. Such insulation will allow feverfew to withstand any winters. With the arrival of heat, the protection is removed, making room for the growth of young stems.
Diseases and pests of pyrethrum
The pyrethrum has been found to be resistant to various diseases and pests. However, sometimes problems still accompany flower beds. Gray rot, fusarium is one of the most dangerous diseases to which the cultivated plantings of pyrethrum are exposed.
Fungal spores of gray mold infect the ground parts of the bushes. As a result, the leaves and stems become covered with a grayish bloom, change their shape and dry out. Infected flowers are cut and burned. The site is treated with fungicidal preparations diluted in water.
Another fungal disease is fusarium. Its pathogens are able to penetrate the roots and harm the internal structure of the plant. The diseased flower soon dies. If traces of the Fusarium pathogen are found, the bushes are cut out and burned, otherwise symptoms of infection will appear on nearby plantings. The flower bed is disinfected with a copper-based fungicide.
In addition to diseases, insects also threaten perennials. Slugs, aphids, thrips and other pests eat up the green mass. You can only get rid of slugs manually. Thrips are often flooded with cultural plantings. Insecticidal preparations help to save healthy flowers. The fight against aphids will be long and persistent. The spread of insects is stopped by drugs such as Biotlin, Aktara or Actellik. The treatment is repeated after a while to consolidate the effect. To completely defeat pests, the bushes should be sprayed at least 2-3 times.
Types and varieties of pyrethrum with a photo
Pyrethrum beautiful (Pyrethrum pulchrum = Tanacetum pulchrum)
Feverfew grows beautiful in Central Asian countries and in Siberia.Wild flowers climb into tundra forests and rocky slopes, scatter at the foot of the mountains. The described type of pyrethrum is an attractive perennial plant, reaching a height of about half a meter with hairy pubescence. Stems are straight and slightly branched. Feathery leaves grow from long petioles. Flower baskets form white tubular buds.
Large-leaved pyrethrum (Pyrethrum macrophyllum = Tanacetum macrophyllum = Chrysanthemum macrophyllum)
Pyrethrum large-leaved - Caucasian representative of the Astrovs. Its height is up to 150 cm. Snow-white inflorescences, like shields, adorn the bush during flowering. At the end of the season, they change color to a reddish-brown color. This species goes well with many flower neighbors and cereals.
Pyrethrum corymbosum (Pyrethrum corymbosum = Chrysanthemum corymbosum = Tanacetum corymbosum)
Pyrethrum corymbose originates from eastern European countries and the Caucasus. The perennial is distinguished by straight, spreading shoots and petiolate leaves near the root zone, the length of which does not exceed 40 cm. The leaves are sessile on top. Inflorescences are attached to long pubescent legs. Flowers are white. The flowering time of pyrethrum corymbose falls in the month of June.
Pyrethrum cinerariifolium
Feverfew is considered a herbaceous perennial crop with feathery silver leaves that have split ends. The baskets are filled with gray seeds.
Pyrethrum red (Pyrethrum coccineum = Chrysanthemum coccineum)
Feverfew red, in another dialect, Caucasian chamomile, is a flower that has similar characteristics to feverfew pink. There is a huge variety of horticultural forms of culture. Bright double buds are painted in white or cherry tones. The stems and leaves of the flower repel insects, since these parts are poisonous to them.
Pyrethrum roseum
Pyrethrum pink is also found in the Caucasus Mountains. Flower cultivation has been carried out for several centuries. The stems can be up to 70 cm long. Green leaves are collected in rosettes with a petiole base. The leaf blades that stick to the stems look slightly smaller than the rest. Inflorescences resemble brushes with a pink tint. Breeders managed to breed hybrid garden forms of pyrethrum pink. Robinsons mix hybrids are the most popular. Their baskets stand out in bright red and pink colors.
Pyrethrum pink or hybrid has the following varieties: dark red Atrosangvinea bushes, Brand pink, James Kelvey with small baskets, pastel pink Robinson, scarlet Kelvey Glories bushes, Lord Rosebury with fluffy baskets and Vanessa. The middle of the buds of this variety is marked with a yellow speck.
Other varieties of Persian chamomile, known as pink chamomile, red chamomile, and low chamomile, also became widespread.
Feverfew (Pyrethrum parthenium = Chrysanthemum parthenium = Tanacetum parthenium)
Feverfew maiden refers to the annual representatives of the Astrovs. The birthplace of the flower is considered to be the European countries located in the south. Natural plantings of maiden feverfew can grow for several years. Bushes are not tall, but densely branched. Light green leaf blades seem to be cut in half. Small inflorescences contain white or yellow reed buds. Baskets are woven from the inflorescences. Gardeners like to grow annuals such as disc-shaped and yellow-leaved maiden petrum. Varietal varieties of this annual are also considered:
- Zilbeoteppich - a bush with lush terry white baskets;
- Schneebal is a low-growing plant whose inflorescences consist of tubular buds. As a rule, the diameter of the buds when opened does not exceed 2.5 cm;
- Dahl White - its inflorescences, like white buttons, adorn the bush when the budding process begins;
- Virgo is a taller flower. Has snow-white round terry baskets of 1.5 cm each;
- Goldbal - the variety blooms with yellow tubular clusters.
Useful properties of pyrethrum
The healing properties of pyrethrum
Even in ancient times, the collected leaves and stems of herbs were used to stop various inflammations, bring down fever and relieve a person from headaches. Feverfew acts on the body like aspirin. The culture first gained recognition in England in the 17th century, when local healers learned to use perennial plant materials as a remedy for headaches. At the end of the last century, the British managed to find out that feverfew was able to cure migraines, and since such a disease was common, the flower quickly gained confidence and popularity. Even many young people often suffer from migraine attacks. Dried and powdered raw materials act no worse than medications. The reason for this effective effect lies in parthenolide. This substance is able to block serotonin produced by the thyroid gland. The accumulation of the aforementioned breakdown product in the body is a source of migraine.
The medical analogues of feverfew, Lizurit and Metisergide, also cure migraines, but their use often causes negative consequences and impairments. The job of feverfew is to prevent the production of serotonin. The use of the herb prevents blood vessels from forming blood clots, and the production of histamine stops. Perennial leaves are prescribed for the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, delayed menstruation, asthma. The drug treatment of psoriasis, dermatitis and various allergic rashes includes the use of pyrethrum.
Contraindications
It is not recommended to use medicinal raw materials based on pyrethrum for young children, pregnant women and people whose treatment is associated with the constant intake of coagulants. Individual intolerance to the components is also a serious reason to abandon feverfew.
