Additional notes (click to expand)
Nomenclature
Tanacetum balsamita subsp. balsamitoides and Balsamita major are synonyms.
The Plant List (2010). Version 1. Published on the Internet; http://www.theplantlist.org
Other use
Used as a substitute for Costus root - which in the 19th century was Costus arabicus - because of the scarcity of Costus arabicus.
Hill, John. History of the Materia Medica (1751) page 623-4
Geographical distribution
- Asia-Temperate, Caucasus
- Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iran
- Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iraq
- Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey
Tanacetum balsamita L.
Family: ASTERACEAEGenus: Tanacetum
Species: balsamita L.
Common names: Costmary: Alecost
Pharmacopoeia Londinensis name: Balsamita
Distribution summary: S.Europe, S.W.Asia
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Pharmacopoeia Londinensis 1618 'Leaves' (HSE 6B), Classical Europe & Middle East (M)
Flowering months: September, October
Reason for growing: Medicinal, other use
