Anacyclus pyrethrum
Species of plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anacyclus pyrethrum, the pellitory, Spanish chamomile, Mount Atlas daisy, bertram, or Akarkara, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae.[4] It is native to Mediterranean Europe and parts of North Africa, but also naturalised in other parts of Europe, India and Pakistan.[5] This herbaceous perennial resembles chamomile species in habitat and appearance.
| Anacyclus pyrethrum | |
|---|---|
| |
| Mount Atlas daisy | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Anacyclus |
| Species: | A. pyrethrum |
| Binomial name | |
| Anacyclus pyrethrum | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Anthemis pyrethrum L. | |
The plants known as pellitory-of-the-wall and spreading pellitory belong to a different family, the nettles (Urticaceae).
Names
Although one might assume from the specific epithet pyrethrum that this plant contains pyrethrins, it does not.[6] Both pyrethrum and "pellitory" derive ultimately from the ancient Greek for "fire" (πῦρ).[7]
Vernacular names
Anacyclus pyrethrum is known by various regional names in India and is commonly used in traditional systems like Ayurveda and Unani medicine.
| Language | Vernacular Name | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi | Akarkara | अकरकरा |
| Sanskrit | Akalla | आकल्ल |
| Sanskrit | Ākārakarabha | आकारकरभ |
| Urdu | Aqarqarha | اقرقرحا |
| Tamil | Akkirakaram | அக்கிரகரம் |
| Telugu | Akarkara | అకర్కర |
| Kannada | Akarkara | ಅಕಾರ್ಕರ |
| Malayalam | Akarkaram | അകര്കാരം |
Cultivation
Anacyclus pyrethrum var. depressus (sometimes considered a separate species, Anacyclus depressus), called mat daisy or Mount Atlas daisy, is grown as a spring-blooming, low-water ornamental. It produces mats of grey-green, ferny foliage and single daisy-like white flowers. It is suitable for growing in an alpine or rock garden. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[10]
Var. depressus
same plant, flower detail
Var. depressus, flowers closed
Medicinal uses
Extracts of Anacyclus pyrethrum have anabolic activity in mice and also increase testosterone in the animal model.[11][12]
Ayurveda and Siddha medical traditions in India use it for diseases of the abdomen, sciatica, cough and others.[13] It is called Akkal-Kara in Hindi, Akkal Kadha in Marathi, Akkala-karra Malayalam, Akkarkkara (അകർക്കാര)(Telugu: అక్కలకఱ్ఱ)[14] and Akkarakaaram (Tamil: அக்கரகாரம்). A kind of oil is prepared by a method known as pit extraction (Tamil: குழி எண்ணெய்).[medical citation needed]
In The Perfumed Garden (from 15th century Tunisia), al-Nefzawi recommends pelleter taken externally as an ointment on the penis and scrotum or internally to enhance sexual pleasure and enhance erection (ch. 13, 15, 17).
