Anacyclus pyrethrum
Anacyclus pyrethrum
Safety & Hazards
Although the plant has a long history of herbal use, it contains alkaloids that, when isolated, are powerful insecticides and can be harmful to mammals[ 1070 Title Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Botany Vol. 7 Publication Author Publisher British Museum; London Year 1979 ISBN Description A botanical journal, this volume contains a very detailed revision of the genus Anacyclus ]. Skin contact with the plant can cause dermatitis in some individuals[ 1059 Title A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa Publication Author Publisher IUCN; Malaga, Spain Year 2005 ISBN 2-8317-0893-1 Description A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa. ].
Botanical Description
Anacyclus pyrethrum is a stemless, herbaceous perennial forming a rosette of leaves from a woody taproot. Several prostrate to creeping flowering stems up to 30cm long are produced from the central caudex of the plant[ 1070 Title Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Botany Vol. 7 Publication Author Publisher British Museum; London Year 1979 ISBN Description A botanical journal, this volume contains a very detailed revision of the genus Anacyclus ]. The plant has a long history of medicinal use and has often been cultivated in European Botanic Gardens, particularly for its medicinal properties; it is also sometimes cultivated in India[ 1059 Title A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa Publication Author Publisher IUCN; Malaga, Spain Year 2005 ISBN 2-8317-0893-1 Description A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa. ]. It is little used in modern herbalism, though has potential value as an insecticide.