Tanacetum parthenium

Tanacetum parthenium, the feverfew, is a traditional medicinal herb which is commonly used to prevent migraine headaches, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. It is also commonly seen in the literature by its synonyms, Chrysanthemum parthenium and Pyrethrum parthenium. It is also sometimes referred to as bachelor's buttons or featherfew.

Description

The plant is covered by flowers reminiscent of daisies and grows into a small bush up to around 46 cm (18 in) high with citrus-scented leaves. It spreads rapidly, and will cover a wide area after a few years. The species grows to up to 60 cm high. The leaves are variously pinnatifid with conspicuous flowers up to 20 mm across. The outer florets are all ligulate and white. The inner florets are yellow and tubular in lax corymbs.

Distribution and Cultivation

A perennial herb, which should be planted in full sun, 38 to 46 cm (15–18 in) apart and cut back to the ground in the autumn. It grows up to 61 cm (24 in) tall. It is hardy to USDA zone 5 (−30 °C (−22 °F)). Outside of its native range it can become an invasive weed. Feverfew was native to Eurasia: specifically the Balkan Peninsula, Anatolia and the Caucasus, but cultivation has spread it around the world and it is now also found in the rest of Europe, North America and Chile.