Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (Pyrethrum): In Vitro Culture and the Production of Pyrethrins and Other Secondary Metabolites

Abstract

Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (Trev) Boccone is a member of the family Compositae. The genus Chrysanthemum includes over 200 species and is classified as a member of the Anthemidea tribe in the Tubiflorae subdivision of the family Lawrence 1951. Economically, the Compositae family is of considerable importance, containing members important as sources of food, ornamentals and the contact insecticide pyrethrum. The term ``pyrethrum flower'' often refers to the perennial Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (Trev) Bocc., and occasionally to C. coccineum Willd. (garden pyrethrum) and C. marshalli Aschers Lawrence 1951; Staba and Zito 1985.