TANACETUM PARTHENIUM

Family:- COMPOSITAE/ Sect. PYRETHRUM

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- Chamaemelum parthenium, Chrysanthemum parthenium,

Dendranthema parthenium, Matricaria parthenium, Parthenium matricaria

Pyrethrum parthenium.

Meaning:- Tanacetum (L) From the Latin tanazita.

Parthenium (Gr) Parthenion feverfew, from neuter of parthenios

maidenly, from parthenos maiden, virgin

General description:- Strongly aromatic perennial

Stems:-

1) Ridged.

Leaves:-

1) Pinnatisect to pinnatipartite, yellowish-green.

2) Basal and lower cauline more or less ovate, with 3-7 oblong-elliptical to ovate

segments which are subpinnately divided, crenate or entire.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula 5-20(-30) in a dense corymb.

2) Involucre 6-8 mm in diam.

3) Ligulate florets white, female; ligules 2·5-7 mm.

Fruit:-

1) Achenes 1·2-1·5 mm, 5- to 8-ribbed.

2) Pappus an irregularly lobed corona 0·2 mm.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Slightly damp habitats in open woodland, gorges and meadows, {0)-1300-

1.500m.

Distribution:- Mainland Greece and Pelnponnisos, southwards to Mts Menalo and

Parnonas. SE Europe and SW Asia.

Long cultivated for ornament and as a medicinal plant and naturalized in hedges

and waste places throughout a large part of Europe. A record from W Crete goes

back to Heldreich and may refer to a garden escapee. As could this report by

Zacharias Angourakis.

Flowering time:- Late May to August.

Photos by:- Zacharias Angourakis