Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium, Tanaceteen: 55 (1844))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: (L.) Sch.Bip.

Bibliography: Tanaceteen: 55 (1844)

Year: 1844

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Tanacetum

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Europe to C. Asia and W. Himalaya

Description

Feverfew, scientifically known as Tanacetum parthenium, is a perennial herb that belongs to the Asteraceae family. This plant is native to a range extending from Southeastern Europe to Central Asia and the Western Himalayas. The various regions of its natural habitat contribute to its diverse uses and cultivation practices.

Often grown for its ornamental beauty, Feverfew is recognized by its small, daisy-like flowers which feature bright yellow centers surrounded by white petals. The foliage is equally distinctive, with feathery, vibrant green leaves that emit a strong, pleasant aroma when crushed.

Historically, Feverfew has been valued for its medicinal properties, a characteristic that is reflected in its common name. Traditional use of Feverfew spans centuries and suggests its efficacy in treating a range of ailments. Historically, it has been particularly noted for its ability to reduce fever, hence the name ‘Feverfew.’ Recent studies and anecdotal evidence have also pointed to its usefulness in addressing migraines, arthritic pain, and digestive issues.

The medicinal benefits of Feverfew are primarily attributed to the presence of parthenolide, a compound found in its leaves. This active ingredient is believed to have anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory properties, making it a popular choice in herbal medicine.

Cultivating Feverfew is relatively straightforward, as it prefers well-drained soil and a sunny position. It is a hardy plant that is capable of withstanding a variety of climatic conditions found in its extensive native range. Feverfew can be propagated by seeds or division, and once established, it can be a prolific grower, often requiring management to prevent it from becoming invasive in certain areas.

Whether grown for its medicinal potential or aesthetic appeal, Feverfew remains a significant plant within both horticulture and herbal medicine circles. It stands as a testament to the enduring relationship between human health practices and botanical resources.

For further reference on Feverfew and its uses, a detailed description can be found in the historic botanical publication “Tanaceteen” which was outlined on page 55, published in the year 1844. This work by (L.) Sch.Bip. provides an extensive overview and classification of the plant, underscoring its relevance and application through time.

Common Names

Deu: falsche kamille, frauen-wucherblume, mutterkraut, mutterkamille, mutterkraut
Eng: feverfew, common feverfew, feather-leaved tansy, featherfew
Swe: glansruta, vanlig backruta, vitreseda, mattram, reunuspietaryrtti, bertram, matram
Fra: grande camomille, pyrèthre doré, pyrèthre mousse, grande camomile, chrysanthème matricaire
Spa: hierba de santa maria, altamisa, artemísia-dos-prados, matricaria
Fin: hoikkaängelmä, pikkuängelmä, valkoreseda, reunuspietaryrtti
Dan: hvid reseda, matrem, moderurt, rank frøstjerne
Nor: kvitreséda, kystfrøstjerne, smalfrøstjerne
Lit: vaistinis skaistenis
Pol: wrotycz maruna
Por: alfinetes-de-senhora, artemeija, artemijo, artemisia, artemísia-bastarda, artemísia-dos-ervanários, artemísia-dos-prados, rainha-das-ervas
Est: lõhnav neitsikummel
Nno: matrem
Nob: matrem
Nld: moederkruid
Hun: őszi margitvirág
Ces: řimbaba obecná
Cym: chwerwyn yr ardd, chweryn gwyn, llysiau’r fam, meddygon menyw, tarfgryd, tormwyth, tormyth, wermod wen, y wermod wen
En: Feverfew, Common feverfew, Feather-leaved tansy, Featherfew, Featherfoil
Ca: Segura
Cs: Řimbaba obecná
Da: Hvid Reseda, Matrem, Moderurt, Rank Frøstjerne
Nl: Moederkruid
Et: Lõhnav neitsikummel
Fi: Hoikkaängelmä, Pikkuängelmä, Valkoreseda, Reunuspietaryrtti
Fr: Grande Camomille, Pyrèthre doré, Pyrèthre mousse, Grande camomile, Chrysanthème matricaire, Tanaisie parthénium, Matricaire, Tanaisie matricaire
De: Falsche Kamille, Frauen-Wucherblume, Mutterkraut, Mutterkamille, Mutterkraut, Mutterkraut-Wunderblume
Hu: Őszi margitvirág
It: Amareggiola, Crisantemo Partenio, Erba-amara vera, Matricale
Lt: Vaistinis skaistenis
No: Kvitreséda, Kystfrøstjerne, Smalfrøstjerne
Nb: Matrem
Nn: Matrem
Pl: Wrotycz maruna
Pt: Alfinetes-de-senhora, Artemeija, Artemijo, Artemisia, Artemísia-bastarda, Artemísia-dos-ervanários, Artemísia-dos-prados, Rainha-das-ervas
Es: Hierba de Santa Maria, Altamisa, Artemísia-dos-prados, Matricaria
Sv: Glansruta, Vanlig backruta, Vitreseda, Mattram, Reunuspietaryrtti, Bertram, Matram
Cy: Chwerwyn yr Ardd, Chweryn Gwyn, Llysiau’r Fam, Meddygon Menyw, Tarfgryd, Tormwyth, Tormyth, Wermod Wen, Y Wermod Wen

Synonyms

• Matricaria partheniifolia ((Willd.) Poir.)
• Tanacetum kubense ((Grossh.) Muradyan)
• Pyrethrum kubense (Grossh.)
• Tanacetum grossheimii ((Sosn.) Muradyan)
• Leucanthemum odoratum (Dulac)
• Chrysanthemum partheniifolium ((Willd.) Pers.)
• Pyrethrum sevanense (Grossh.)
• Parthenium matricaria (Gesn. ex Rupr.)
• Matricaria praealta (Poir.)
• Leucanthemum parthenium var. flosculosum (St.-Lag.)
• Matricaria odorata (Lam.)
• Leucanthemum parthenium (Godr. & Gren.)
• Pyrethrum parthenium ((L.) Sm.)
• Tanacetum demetrii ((Manden.) K.Bremer & Humphries)
• Pyrethrum parthenium var. multiplex (N.H.F.Desp.)
• Chrysanthemum parthenium ((L.) Bernh.)
• Pyrethrum divaricatum ((Sosn.) Sosn.)
• Matricaria alba (Voss)
• Pyrethrum grossheimii (Sosn.)
• Matricaria parthenium (L.)
• Pyrethrum parthenium eximium (T.Moore)
• Matricaria latifolia (Gilib.)
• Matricaria pulverulenta (Poir.)
• Chamaemelum parthenium ((L.))
• Pontia matricaria (Bubani)
• Tanacetum parthenium var. praealtum ((Vent.) B.Bock)
• Tanacetum persicum ((Boiss.) Mozaff.)
• Pyrethrum persicum (Boiss.)
• Pyrethrum eximium (Voss)
• Matricaria eximia (Voss)
• Matricaria florida (Salisb.)
• Pyrethrum demetrii (Manden.)
• Pyrethrum partheniifolium aureum (Jacob-Makoy)
• Pyrethrum praealtum ((Vent.) Tzvelev)
• Chrysanthemum partheniifolium f. sanguineum (Parsa)
• Tanacetum partheniifolium ((Willd.) Sch.Bip.)
• Matricaria vulgaris (Gray)
• Pyrethrum latilobum ((Sosn.) Sosn.)
• Pyrethrum glanduliferum (Sommier & Levier)
• Pyrethrum partheniifolium (Willd.)
• Chrysanthemum persicum ((Boiss.) Nábělek)
• Pyrethrum partheniifolium var. latilobum (Sosn.)
• Tanacetum glanduliferum ((Sommier & Levier) K.Bremer & Humphries)
• Chrysanthemum praealtum (Vent.)
• Pyrethrum buschianum (Sosn.)
• Tanacetum sevanense ((Sosn. ex Grossh.) K.Bremer & Humphries)
• Chrysanthemum parthenium var. discoideum (Lej.)
• Pyrethrum partheniifolium f. divaricatum (Sosn.)
• Pyrethrum niveum var. divaricatum ((Sosn.) Sosn. ex Grossh.)
• Dendranthema parthenium ((L.) Des Moul.)
• Pyrethrum fruticosum (Spreng. ex DC.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
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• Xinjiang (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Nov 20, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 29, 2022 by Else Nolden (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 27, 2021 by salicorne56 salicorne56 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2018 by Ricardo Ramirez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2011 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 22, 2020 by Em Em Do (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Naturalist26 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − daniel fourie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2022 by Samuel Hawksby-Robinson (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 12, 2020 by Owen Poirier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2019 by Ludmilla RUAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 6, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2020 by Pete Freak (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2020 by Ha Anna (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3118430)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:252460-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch.Bip.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 7