pyrethrum

py·re·thrum

noun \pī-ˈrē-thrəm, -ˈre-\

Definition of PYRETHRUM

1

: any of several chrysanthemums with finely divided often aromatic leaves including ornamentals as well as important sources of insecticides

2

: an insecticide made from the dried heads of any of several Old World chrysanthemums (especially Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium)

Origin of PYRETHRUM

Latin, pellitory, from Greek pyrethron, from pyr fire

First Known Use: circa 1543

py·re·thrum

noun \pī-ˈrē-thrəm, -ˈreth-rəm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PYRETHRUM

1

: any of several chrysanthemums with finely divided often aromatic leaves including ornamentals as well as important sources of insecticides

2

: an insecticide consisting of or derived from the dried heads of any of several Old World chrysanthemums (genus Chrysanthemum of the family Compositae)

pyrethrum

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of certain plant species of the genus Tanacetum native to South Asia, whose aromatic flower heads, when powdered, constitute the active ingredient in the insecticide pyrethrin (or pyrethrum). The concentrations of pyrethrum powder used in insecticides are nontoxic to plants and higher animals; these insecticides therefore find wide use in household and livestock sprays as well as in dusts for edible plants. The typical species, the perennial T. coccineum, also is the florists' pyrethrum, or painted lady. Large petals of a deep rose colour surrounding the yellow centre, or disk, are borne on long, simple stems above the crown of finely cut leaves.