Tanacetum parthenium

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Tanacetum parthenium
Light:Full Sun
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Hardiness:6
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Self Pollinated
Height:2'
Width:1'
Blooms:Mid Summer-Late Summer
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Tanacetum parthenium (common name: feverfew)

Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the pot to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer, after the last expected frosts.

If you have sufficient seed it can be sown outdoors in situ during the spring.

Plants usually self-sow freely and so, once you have the plant, further sowing is usually unnecessary[K].

Division in spring. Since the plants are quite short-lived, this method is not really very serviceable[K].

Cultivation: A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1]. Thrives in any kind of soil[2], plants can even be grown in walls[3].

Often grown in the flower garden, feverfew is a short lived perennial but usually self-sows prolifically[2][K]. There are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value[4]. The cultivar 'Golden' (syn 'Yellow') has yellow tinted leaves[5].

The leaves have a refreshing aromatic aroma[6].

Range: S.E. Europe to Asia. Naturalized in Britain[7].

Habitat: Mountain scrub, rocky slopes, walls, waste places and a weed of gardens, avoiding acid soils[8].

Edibility: The dried flowers are used as a flavouring in cooking certain pastries[9][5]. The plant is used in cooking to impart a deliciously aromatic bitter taste to certain foods[2].

A tea is made from the dried flowers[5].

Medicinal: Feverfew has gained a good reputation as a medicinal herb and extensive research since 1970 has proved it to be of special benefit in the treatment of certain types of migraine headaches and rheumatism[4][K]. It is also thought of as a herb for treating arthritis and rheumatism[10].

The leaves and flowering heads are anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, aperient, bitter, carminative, emmenagogue, sedative, stimulant, stings, stomachic, vasodilator and vermifuge[11][2][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The plant is gathered as it comes into flower and can be dried for later use[2]. Use with caution[17], the fresh leaves can cause dermatitis and mouth ulcers if consumed[4]. This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant women[4].

A tea made from the whole plant is used in the treatment of arthritis, colds, fevers etc. It is said to be sedative and to regulate menses[18][4]. An infusion is used to bathe swollen feet[19].

Applied externally as a tincture, the plant is used in the treatment of bruises etc[2].

Chewing 1 - 4 leaves per day has proven to be effective in the treatment of some migraine headaches[18].

Usage: The dried flower buds are a source of an insecticide. They are said to have the same properties as pyrethrum (obtained mainly from T. cinerariifolia)[20][16][21]. Steep 1 cupful of the dried flowers in one litre of hot soapy water for an hour. Strain, then allow to cool slightly before use[21].

An essential oil from the plant is used in perfumery[2].

Pollinators: Bees, flies, self

Notes: We could supply this in the next catalogue.

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Wind: Tolerates strong winds

Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Also Known As: Chrysanthemum parthenium. Matricaria parthenium.

Links

References

  1. ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
  3. ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
  6. ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
  7. ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
  8. ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
  9. ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
  10. ↑ Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
  11. ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
  12. ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
  13. ↑ The Herb Society. Herbal Review, Volume 11.3. The Herb Society, 1986.
  14. ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
  15. ↑ de Bray, Lys. The Wild Garden.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
  19. ↑ Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
  20. ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.


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