Common Name: Mount Atlas Daisy

General Information

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[].
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[]. It is little used in modern herbalism, though has potential value as an insecticide.

Known 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[].
Skin contact with the plant can cause dermatitis in some individuals[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Mediterranean - Spain, Morocco and Algeria

Habitat

Well drained stony ground or grassland; at elevations from 800 - 3,000 metres, being particularly abundant around 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Anacyclus pyrethrum is hardy to at least -5°c, probably more if the ground is very well-drained[].
Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[]. Plants are intolerant of excessive wet, especially in the winter, and will do better if covered by a pane of glass in the winter[].
The plant is a short-lived perennial in the wild, usually living for 2 - 5 years, though it lives longer in cultivation[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Anacyclus pyrethrum used to be commonly used in European herbal medicine, being held in high regard for treating conditions such as dryness of the mouth and toothache. It was often cultivated, though is little used at present. It is still often used in N. Africa.
The root is a pungent acrid herb that stimulates the salivary glands and irritates the tissues, thereby increasing blood flow to the area[]. It is used as a masticatory or in lozenges to treat dryness of the mouth and throat[]. It has also been used for the relief of neuralgia, rheumatism of the head and tongue palsy[]. A teaspoon of the powdered root is taken daily in the treatment of liver diseases[]. The powder of the root, mixed with milk or honey, is considered to be aphrodisiac, and to render fertility to women[]. A gargle is used to soothe sore throats and relieve partial paralysis of the tongue and lips[, ].
It is applied externally to treat toothache, facial neuralgia and chronic catarrh[]. A tincture is appled to the gums to relieve toothache[]. Mixed with oil, the powdered root is used as a treatment against ringworm and lice[].
A snuff used to be made from the root. It was considered to be effective for curing chronic catarrh of the head and nostrils and to clear the brain, working by exciting a free flow of nasal mucous and tears[].
In Ayurvedic medicine the root is considered to be tonic and is used in the treatment of paralysis and epilepsy[].
The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[].

The diluted essential oil in the root is used in mouthwashes and to treat toothaches[]. This oil should not be used internally, except under professional supervision[].

The activity of the root appears to be due to two active crystalline resiniferous alkaloids, pellitorine and pyrethrine. Pellitorine, with a melting point of 22 °c, has been identified as N-isobutylamide, a reasonably powerful, poisonous insecticide[].

Other Uses

The root is sometimes used as an insecticide[]. It contains alkaloids with strong insecticidal properties[].

Propagation

Seed - requires about 3 weeks cold stratification. Germination is best at a temperature around 13 - 16°c[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when 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[].
Cuttings of softwood in the spring[, ].