Family: Asteraceae
Common name: Feverfew, Bachelor’s buttons, Motherherb
Feverfew is a small flowering plant that is grown as an ornamental, producing creamy-white flowers in abundance. They are native to Europe and parts of Asia, and was traditionally used to treat fever, giving the plant its name Feverfew.
Plant characteristics
These plants can grow to a height of 50-70 cm with a well-branched, green, slightly hairy stem that could be ridged or smooth.
The branching habit of the stem makes the plant thick and bushy while giving the necessary support to hold up the clusters of flowers. The base of the stem becomes woody and fibrous as the plant ages.
Leaves of the Feverfew plant are deep green and lobed, giving it a feathery appearance. Leaves are approximately 5-10 cm long, serrated along the edges, and looks almost like coriander leaves. They also emit a light aroma when crushed.
Feverfew is know for its clusters of daisy-like, white flowers that are 2-3 cm in diameter. The outer ray florets are white and separated, and the inner disk florets are yellow.
Flowering is from late spring to fall, with most flowers blooming in summer. The thick bunches of flowers add an aesthetic appeal to the garden, while attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and insects in large numbers.
Feverfew plants also produce small dry fruits that are about 2mm in length. They have a tuft of fine hairs that help disperse the fruits. These fruits are also eaten by birds and small animals that help in propagation.
Gardening tips
Feverfew plants prefer good sunlight for many hours during the day, to grow and flower well. They thrive in sandy soil that is well-aerated, though they are capable of tolerating adverse soil conditions.
Use a good mixture of cocopeat, vermicompost, and gardening soil to prepare a flowerbed or potting mix before planting Feverfew.
They need regular watering especially when the plants are small. Fertilize just before the flowering period to help nourish and boost the plant.
Pruning and deadheading is needed to keep the plant bushy and producing flowers. Spray regularly with insecticides or neem oil to prevent pest and fungal infestations.
Uses of Feverfew
Feverfew has been used to treat fever and migraine headaches in traditional herbal medicine, but there are currently no studies to prove how effective they are.
Leaves can cause skin irritations and mouth ulcers on contact. So be very careful not to confuse these plants with coriander leaves.
Parts of the plant were used in the treatment of cuts, wounds, stings, cold, fever, arthritis, rheumatism, inflammations, worms, and stomach disorders.
They are mostly grown as ornamental plants, but Feverfew plants have escaped cultivation and become invasive in multiple countries. In gardens, these plants can be hand-plucked and removed before they produce seeds, in case they become invasive.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings.
Dry fruits can be collected from mature plants and sowed in seed trays or pots. Small saplings should then be replanted so that there is enough space between plants.
Stem cuttings taken from mature plants can be planted in the soil directly after dipping their tips in rooting hormone. Both methods of propagation are very effective.
Photographed at: Olde Bangalore Resort
