pyrethrum

noun

Etymology: From Old English pyretre, from (and later reformed after) Latin pyrethrum (in Pliny), from Hellenistic Ancient Greek πύρεθρον (púrethron).

1. Any of several daisy-like perennial African plants of the genus Tanacetum, especially Tanacetum cinerariifolium.

   “A common beverage credited with aphrodisiac virtue was old wine containing the pungent root of the plant pyrethrum or pellitory.”

   “We children would re-tell the stories the following day to other children who worked in the fields picking the pyrethrum flowers, tea-leaves or coffee beans of our European and African landlords.”

2. Anacyclus pyrethrum (pellitory of Spain)
3. Any of several insecticides obtained from these plants; pyrethrin.