Crops Pyrethrum (Pyrethrum cinerariaefolium)

Pyrethrum is a source of natural insecticides that are widely used in agriculture and for domestic purposes; the active constituents are recovered from the dried flower-heads. Since the 1950s, production has been concentrated in Kenya, though culture has now spread to Australia. Plans are currently being formulated to reintroduce the production of pyrethrum to some of the more arid Mediterranean areas of Europe.

This entry forms part of the publication Crops for Industry and Energy in Europe

References

Bremness, L (1988) The Complete Book of Herbs. London: Dorling Kindersley & National Trust.

Hornok, L (Ed) (1992) Cultivation and Processing of Medicinal Plants. University of Horticultural Sciences, Budapest. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

Langer, R H M & Hill, G D (1991) Agricultural Plants (2nd Edn) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Perry, F (1972) Flowers of the World. London: Hamlyn Press.

Siegler, D S (Ed) (1977) Crop Resources. New York: Academic Press.

Relevant EC funded projects:
Agre-0013 FAIR-0363