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Pyrethrum
by Cathy Peterson
Description: Information on the insect repellant properties of the flower Pyrethrum.
Pyrethrum flowers come from the Chrysanthemum genus and are in
the Asteraceae (or daisy) family. Due to the size, shape, and
color of the petals and daisy-like appearance, they are often
called “painted daisies” or “painted ladies.” These flowers are
perennial plants.
The pyrethrum flower is native to southwestern Asia. There are
two main generas of the flower. One came primarily from the
Balkans (also called Dalmatia). Because of its origin, this
type of pyrethrum is called the Dalmatian Chrysanthemum. These
are typically white with yellow centers. The second genus is
the Persian Chrysanthemum, which is native to Causcaus. These
flowers are generally white, pink, or red.
One of the most interesting facts about these “painted daisies”
is that it has the effect of insect repellent, and is commonly
used in insecticidal substances. In order to extract the
repellent properties, the flowers are taken and dried shortly
after blooming. Some use solvents to extract the needed oils
from the fresh flower. The substance that is retrieved is
called pyrethrin.
The pyrethrins work as a poison to an insect’s nervous system,
rendering the insect motionless. However, not all doses of
pyrethrin is fatal to an insect, and oftentimes in order to
create the insecticide farmers need, they will use a product
containing organophosphates, carbamates, or synergists. This
almost always results in the death of unwanted insects.
Insecticides are used to combat insects who eat the crops
farmers need or want to produce. They are also used on
ornamental flowers which they wish to protect from annoying
insect bites and holes, or even the death of flowers due to
insect invasion. Pyrethrin is a much better choice than other,
synthetic insecticides because it is nontoxic to the
environment and other plants, as well as animals and humans
which may ingest the crops. The pyrethrins taken from pyrethrum
flowers are biodegradable, much unlike most other insect
repellents.
The Dalmatian Chrysanthemum actually produces a stronger, more
potent insecticide property than the Persian Chrysanthemum
does. However, both do produce pyrethrins, which help to combat
the insect problem so many plant growers face. Some other,
perhaps more well-known names for these flowers are:
- Dalmation insect flower
- Dalmation pellitory
- Persian insect flower
- Persian pellitory
- Caucasian insect powder plant
Not only is the pyrethrum flower pleasing to the eye, but it
also has a very useful substance to farmers and garden growers
across the world.
Cathy Peterson writes about Gardeners Coupon, Blooming Bulb coupons, and Coupons.
