MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

INTRODUCTION
Medicinal plants can be defined as the plants that possess therapeutic properties or
exert beneficial pharmacological effect on the human or animal body. Medicinal plants
have long been utilized in traditional medicine and worldwide ethnomedicine. Herbal
drugs constitute a major share of all the officially recognised systems of health in
India viz. Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy and Naturopathy, except
Allopathy. More than 70% of India’s 1.1 billion population still use these non-allopathic
systems of medicine.
The medicinal plants also contain other beneficial compounds like ingredients for
functional foods. Hence, the global knowledge about Ayurveda and Indian herbals will
hopefully be enhanced by information on the evidence-base of these plants. This will
yield rich dividends in the coming years. Where medicinal plants are harvested from the
wild rather than cultivated, they are subject to both general and specific threats. General
threats include climate change and habitat loss to development and agriculture. A
specific threat is over-collection to meet rising demand for medicines.
This chapter presents a glimpse of the data about medicinal annuals and herbaceous
perennials.

MEDICINAL ANNUALS
An annual plant is a plant that completes its life cycle, from germination to the
production of seeds, within one growing season, and then dies. The length of growing
seasons and period in which they take place vary according to the geographical location,
and may not correspond to the four traditional seasonal divisions of the year.
Hardy annuals are annuals that can withstand a little frost without being killed off and will
continue to bloom and set seed into the next year, but they do not carry on indefinitely and
usually die shortly after their second year begins.Let us discuss about the some of the
annual medicinal plants.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

ALOE: It is a succulent plant of genus Aloe. It is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal
uses. The species is also used for decorative purposes and successfully grown as indoor
potted plants.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Climate and Soil requirement: It is found to grown in humid and high rainfall
conditions. It is grown in all kind of soils but well drained soil with high organic matter, is
mostly suitable. It grows well in sunlight , therefore well drained high land should be
selected for its cultivation.
Botanical name: Aloe vera
Family and chromosome number: Lilliacea and 2n=14
Varieties: Gurguva aloe, cape aloe and sagotin aloe.
Economic parts: Leaves
Propagation: Suckers and Rhizome cutting
Crop duration: 1 year
Spacing :45×45 cm
Growth habit: Stemless or very short stemmed plants growing to a height 0f 60-100 cm
Planting period: June – July, and September – October.
Harvesting method: knifing
Shelf life: 24 hours in room temp, 5 – 7 days in refrigerated or 1-2 weeks frozen.
Harvesting period: 6 – 7 months after planting.
Yield: 15t/ha
Medicinal significance: Aloe vera is used on facial tissues where it is promoted as a
moisturizer.
Aloe latex is used for relief of constipation.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

Brahmi: It is a non-aromatic, creeping herb. It is also known by common name such as

Indian pennywort, water hyssop.
Native to the wetlands of southern and eastern India.

Climate and soil requirement: This creeping herb is found growing along the canals and
water bodies and in marshy area throughout India. The plant grows well in poorly drained
soils. The plant prefers the soil of acidic nature for its congenial growth.
Botanical name: Bacopa monnieri
Family and chromosomal number: Scorphulariaceae and 2n=64
Economic parts: whole plant
Propagation: Soft herbaceous cuttings
Crop duration: 3 months
Spacing: 20×20 cm
Growth habit: Creeping herb
Leaves: Succulent and oblong of length 6-7mm.
Flowers: Actinomorphic, whitish and small with 4-5 petals.
Planting time: July – august
Harvesting time: October – November
Harvesting methods: Upper portion from base 5 – 6 cm is cut off,
Shelf life: 1 month
Yield: 300 q/ha of fresh herbage and 60q/ha of dry herbage.
Medicinal significance: Used as nerve tonic for epilepsy and insanity. Also used as
diuretic and for treating rheumatism and hoarseness.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

HOLY BASIL: Native to India, where it enjoys a religious attachment and likely to be
grown in shrines and home.

Climate and soil requirement: Grown in any

type of soil except the ones with highly saline. The crop has wide adaptability in tropical
and sub-tropical climates.
Botanical name: Ocimum sanctum
Family and chromosomal number: Lamiaceae and 2n=36
Economic parts: Leaves
Propagation: Terminal cuttings
Crop duration: 7-8 months
Spacing: 40×30 cm
Growth habit: erect many branched sub shrub
Leaves: green or purple, simple, ovate and petiolate.
Flowers: The purplish flowers are placed in close whorls on elongated raceme.
Planting time: October to December
Harvesting time: 90 days after planting
Shelf life: 40 days under refrigerated condition
Yield: 4-5 tons of shoot/acre
Medicinal significance: Treat coughs, bronchitis and diarrhea. The herb improves
resistance to stress and has normalizing influence on blood pressure and blood sugar
imbalances.
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KULAVI PLANT: It is an industrially valued aromatic medicinal plant currently having

huge demand for its essential oil.

Climate and soil requirement: Grow well in warm to tropical climates. It thrives well in
hot weather and in sandy loam soils.
Botanical name: Pogostemon patchouli
Family and chromosome number: Lamiaceae and 2n =64
Economic parts: leaves
Propagation: cuttings
Growth habit: bushy herb with erect stems
Spacing: 60-90cm × 60-90 cm
Leaf: Simple, ovate to oblong and leathery.
Flower biology: Actinomorphic, simple white colored flowers
Planting time: July – august
Harvesting time: 6-7 months after planting
Shelf life: 1 month
Yield: 20 tones/acre
Medical significance : The patchouli plant is claimed to be a potent repellent against
the Formosan subterranean termite.
Patchouli is an important ingredient in East Asian incense. 
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

PERIWINKLE: Commonly known as bright eyes, cape periwinkle which is

native to Madagascar but also grown elsewhere as an ornamental and medicinal
plant, a source of drugs Vincristine and Vinblastine.

Climate and soil requirement: Suited to all types of soil and tropical climatic
condition. It is suitable for raising as a rainfed.
Botanical name: Catharanthus roseus
Family and chromosome number: Apocynaceae and 2n=34
Economic parts: Roots, leaves and stem
Propagation: by seeds or by transplanting
Spacing:45×20 cm
Growth habit: Subshrubs or herbaceous having trailing stems with length of
60-70 cm.
Leaf: Simple, broad ovate and lanceolate
Flower biology: Salver form with usually five petals joined at the base to form
a tube.
Planting time: June – July or September – October
Harvesting time: After one year of planting
Shelf life: 30 days
Yield: 1500 kg/ha of roots and stem and 3000kg/ha of leaves.
Medical significance: Used in the treatment of leukemia and Hodgkin disease.
They are anti cancerous.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

KEEZHANELI:

Climate and soil requirement: Well drained sandy loam/black soil is

preferred. It grows well as tropical and subtropical rainfed crop.
Botanical name: Phyllantus amarus
Family and chromosome number: Euphorbiaceae and 2n = 98 , 104
Economic parts: Whole plant
Propagation: It can propagated by seeds
Spacing: 10×15 cm
Growth habit: Tall plant and bears ascending herbaceous branches
Leaf: Simple, small, ovate and opposite.
Flower biology: Bears numerous pale green flowers which are often flushed
with red.
Planting time: June – July
Harvesting time: September – October
Shelf life: 1 year
Yield: 17.5 tones/ha
Medicinal significance: cures Hepatitis B and Jaundice.

FALSE DAISY

Climate and soil requirement: Wide variety of soils includes sandy to clay soil
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

Botanical name: Eclipta alba

Family and chromosome number: Asteraceae
Economic parts: Whole plant
Propagation: Seed and stem cuttings
Spacing: 20×20 cm
Growth habit: Erect prostrate branched annual herb
Leaf: opposite, sessile, oblong and lanceolate
Flower biology: White, solitary or two on unequal axillary peduncles
Planting time: August
Harvesting time: November - December
Shelf life: 40 days
Yield: 8tonnes/ha.
Medical significance: Whole plant is used as antiseptic, febrifuge. The plant is
used as scalp tonic for promoting hair growth.

POT MARIGOLD

Climate and soil requirement: Well drained sandy loam – clayey loam soils
Botanical name: Calendula officinalis
Family and chromosomal number: Asteraceae and 2n = 28
Economic parts: Flowers and leaves
Propagation: Seeds
Spacing: 25 X 25 cm
Growth habit: Short lived aromatic annual herb with erect stem.
Leaf: Spirally arranged, hairy and simple.
Flower biology: Single row of ray floret surrounds the disc florets and the
inflorescence is capitullum.
Planting time: March – April
Flowering period: June – November
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Harvesting time: August – November

Shelf life: 48 hours
Yield: 2 tonnes/ha
Medical significance: Used to prevent muscle spasms and reduce fever.
Flowers are used in the production of dyes and tannins

KURUNDOTTI:

Climate and soil requirement: Grown in all types of soils.

Botanical name: Sida rhombifolia sp.retusa
Family and chromosomal number: Malvaceae and 2n = 14
Economic parts: Whole plant
Propagation: Seeds
Spacing: 75 x 50 cm
Growth habit: Erect, sprawling and lower section remain woody.
Leaf: Dark green, diamond shaped alternate leaves
Flower biology: Moderately delicate flowers with flowers on single stalk
Fruit: Ribbed capsule
Planting time: July – August
Flowering time: November
Harvesting time: December
Shelf life: 4 days @ room temperature
Yield: 700-800 kg of dried roots/acre
Medical significance: Used as rough cordage, sacking, and making brooms.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

KARIMULLI:

Climate and soil requirement: Prefer temperate condition and grown in all
types of soils.
Botanical name: Solanum incanum
Family and chromosomal number: Solanaceae and 2n = 48
Economic parts: Roots and berry
Propagation: Seeds
Spacing: 35 x 35 cm
Growth habit: Herbs with spine on the stem
Leaf: Hairy alternate leaves with velvet hairs
Flower biology: Flowers are born on leaf axils
Planting time: March - April
Fruit: Berry
Flowering time: June – July
Harvesting time: August
Shelf life: ---
Yield: 800 – 900 kg of dried roots.
Medical significance: Narcotic, anti-asthmatic and anti-rheumatic
Decoction is used in curing diabetes and bronchitis
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

YELLOW FRUIT NIGHT SHADE

Climate and soil requirement: Tropical plant that prefer well drained sandy
loam soils
Botanical name: Solanum surattense
Family and chromosomal number: Solanaceae and 2n =24
Economic parts: Root and berry
Propagation: Seeds
Spacing: 90x75 cm
Growth habit: Prickly brightly green annual herb.
Leaf: Elliptic, stellate hairs on both sides
Flower biology: Axillary cyme with violet colour
Fruit: Berry
Planting time: August
Flowering time: October
Harvesting time: November
Shelf life: ----
Yield: 16-20t/ha
Medical significance: Panchang and berries have anthelmintic property
Used in curing of piles.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

INDIAN NIGHT SHADE

Climate and soil requirement: Tropical crop can be grown in all types of soils
Botanical name: Solanum violaceum
Family and chromosomal number: Solanaceae and 2n = 24
Economic parts: Leaves and roots
Propagation: Seeds
Spacing: 60 x 60 cm
Growth habit: Erect prostrate herb
Leaf: Alternate hairy leaves
Flower biology: Flowers occurs in single stalk which are bright yellow.
Planting time: May - June
Flowering time: June – July
Harvesting time: September
Shelf life: ---
Yield: 500-600 kg of dried roots/acre
Medical significance: Used for treating skin diseases and alleviating tooth
ache.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

INDIAN NETTLE

Climate and soil requirement: Subtropical crop can be grown in sandy loam
soils.
Botanical name: Acalypha indica
Family and chromosomal number: Euphorbiaceae and 2n = 20
Economic parts: Leaves and roots
Propagation: Seeds
Spacing: ----
Growth habit: Herbaceous short plant
Leaf: Round leaves and petiolate
Flower biology: Catkin type of inflorescence with white flowers
Planting time: ----
Flowering time: -----
Harvesting time: ----
Shelf life: ----
Yield: ----
Medical significance: Leaves are used in traditional medicine to cure Jaundice.
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BLACK NIGHT SHADE

Climate and soil requirement: Tropical and subtropical crop. Prefer well
drained red loamy soils
Botanical name: Solanum nigarum
Family and chromosomal number: Solanaceae and 2n = 36
Economic parts: Whole plant
Propagation: Seeds
Spacing: 25 x 25 cm
Growth habit: Herbaceous erect prostrate plant
Leaf: Ovate to heart shaped leaves with both surface hairy
Flower biology: Whitish to greenish petals with yellow anthers
Planting time: April
Flowering time: July
Harvesting time: September – October
Shelf life: ----
Yield: 12 – 20 t / ha
Medical significance: The whole plant is useful for Rheumatologic, swellings,
cough and Cures epilepsy and splenomegaly.
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MEDICINAL COLEUS:

Climate and soil requirement: Tropical crop. Can be grown in red loamy soils.
Botanical name: Coleus forkskohlii briq
Family and chromosomal number: Liliaceae and 2n = 48
Economic parts: Tubers
Propagation: Terminal cuttings
Spacing: 60 x 45 cm
Growth habit: Succulent densely haired crop with aromatic roots.
Leaf: Leaves are thick, fleshy, ovate with serrate margins.
Flower biology: Pink to white flowers occurs in winter season
Planting time: June – July
Flowering time: October
Harvesting time: February
Shelf life: 24 hours @ room temperature
Yield: 250 kg/ha
Medical significance: The root of Coleus species is considered analgesic,
ophthalmic, and febrifuge. It is very useful in epilepsy. Fresh aromatic root is
offered in temples for its characteristic odour and is also used as a flavouring
agent.
Varieties: Maimul, Manganiperu and Garmal
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MEDICINAL SOLANUM

Climate and soil requirement: Tropical crop grown in red laterite soils.
Botanical name: Solanum khasianum clarke
Family and chromosome number: Solanaceae and 2n = 24
Economic parts: Berries
Propagation: Through seeds
Spacing: 50 x 50 cm
Growth habit: Erect prostate herb with spines over the plant.
Leaf: Ovate, alternate with spiny hairs on both the surfaces
Flower biology: Simple violet coloured flowers
Planting time: April
Flowering time: July
Harvesting time: October
Shelf life: ----
Yield: 20 t/ha
Medical significance: Dietary supplement for cancer prevention and cure.

ASTHMA PLANT:
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

Climate and soil requirement: Tropical to subtropical crop. Can be grown in

all types of soils.
Botanical name: Euphorbia hirta
Family and chromosome number: Euphorbiaceae and 2n = 46
Economic parts: Roots and leaves
Propagation: Seeds
Spacing: ---
Growth habit: Hairy herb which is short and erect
Leaf: Lanceolate with blunt end, alternate and hairy
Flower biology: Axillary Cyme
Planting time: ----
Flowering time: ----
Harvesting time: -----
Shelf life: -----
Yield: -----
Medical significance: The root exudates exhibits nematocidal activity against
juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita

GREEN CHIRETA
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

Climate and soil requirement: Subtropical crop. Prefer well drained sandy
loam soils.
Botanical name: Andrographis paniculata
Family and chromosome number: Acanthaceae
Economic parts: Leaves and roots
Propagation: Seeds
Spacing: 60 x 30 cm
Growth habit: Erect aerial stout herb
Leaf: Simple, alternate and petiolate
Flower biology: Racemose
Planting time: June
Flowering time: October
Harvesting time: January
Shelf life: -----
Yield: 15t/ha
Medical significance: Dietary supplement for prevention and cure of Cancer.

PERENNIAL PLANT
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than 2 years.
The term is used to differentiate a plant from short lived annuals and biennials. The term
is also widely used to distinguish plants with little or no woody growth from trees and
shrubs, which are also technically perennials.

They are especially small flowering plants that grow and bloom over the spring and
summer, die back every autumn and winter and then return in the spring from their
rootstock are known as herbaceous perennials.

CHITHARATHAI

Climate and soil requirement: Grow well

in tropical climate. Fertile red loam to forest soils are suitable
Botanical name: Alpinia calcarata
Family and chromosome number: Zingiberaceae
Economic part: Rhizome
Propagation: Propagated by freshly collected rhizomes
Spacing: 30×30 cm
Leaf: They are green, glossy, long and narrow
Flower biology: Large with dense panicles corolla segments are yellowish white and
streaked with purple veins.
Yield: 8 – 10 tons/ha
Planting time: January
Harvesting time: 18 months after planting
Shelf life: nil
Yield: 8-10 tones/ha
Medical significance: Used in bronchial infections and as a carminative.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

VALLARAI

Climate and soil requirement: Come up well in moist and marshy lands. Prefers acidic
soil and rather than alkaline soils.
Botanical name: Centella asiatica
Family and chromosome number: Apiaceae
Economic part: leaves
Propagation: Stem cuttings
Spacing: 30×30 cm
Leaf: lanceolate
Flower biology: Nil
Growth habit: perennial prostrate aromatic herb flourishing on water and damp areas.
Yield: 5500 kg of fresh herb
Planting time: October
Harvesting time: January
Shelf life: 45 days
Medical significance: It is a popular kitchen herb in certain parts of India. It possess
insecticidal properties. Above all it is used as a nerve tonic for improving memory and
insanity.

PUNARNAVA
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

Climate and soil requirement: Grow best in sandy loam to loamy soils
Botanical name: Boerhavia diffusa
Family and chromosome number: Nyctaginaceae
Economic parts: roots and leaves
Propagation: By seeds
Spacing: 30×30 cm
Leaf: simple ovate and petiolate
Growth habit: perennial creeping herb
Planting time: July – august
Harvesting time: October- November
Yield: 800kg of dry root/acre.
Medical significance: Cures insomnia and control inflammations

ASHWAGANDHA

Climate and soil requirements: Sandy loam to red loam soil with pH having 7.5 – 8 with
good drainage. Grown as rainy season crop.
Botanical name: Withania somnifera
Family and chromosome number: Solanaceae
Propagation: by seeds
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Economic parts: roots, leaves and seeds

Spacing: 60×60 cm
Varieties: Jawahar
Growth habit: Erect branching undershrub
Planting time: August
Harvesting time: January to March
Yield: 400 kg of dried roots and 1200 kg of seeds
Medical significance: Treats rheumatic pain, nervous disorder and epilepsy. Bark
decoction is used to cure asthma and applied to cure bed sores.

STEVIA

Climate and soil requirement: Perennial herb belonging to Asteraceae family. It is

native to South America and is known as sweet herb of Paraguay.
Botanical name: Stevia rebaudiana bentoni
Family and chromosome number: Asteraceae and 2n=22
Propagation: Seeds, vegetative cuttings and division of suckers.
Economic parts: Leaves
Spacing: 45×45 cm
Leaf: Opposite leaves, cylindrical involucre of five phyllaries, petiolate.
Flower biology: Five florets per capitellum with funnelform corollas.
Growth habit: Erect and prostate herb.
Planting time: March – April
Harvesting time: June – July
Yield: 3-3.5 t/ha
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

Medical significance: Used in blood pressure control, source of antioxidants and Anti-
tooth decay.

SENNA

Climate and soil requirement: Well drained sandy or sandy loam or laterite soils. It is a
hardy warm weather crop.
Botanical name: Cassia aungustifolia
Family and chromosome number: Leguminosae and 2n = 28
Propagation: By seeds
Economic parts: Leaves and pods
Spacing: 45×30 cm
Leaf: Simple, opposite and pinnate
Flower biology: The flower has five sepals and five usually yellow petals. They are ten
straight stamens.
Fruit: Legume pod
Growth habit: Erect herb.
Planting time: February – March
Harvesting time: May
Yield: 2t/ha of dried leaves and 150 – 200 kg/ha of dried pod.
Medical significance: Used as laxative and as a supplement for Tea in Britain.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

BLUE GINGER

Climate and soil requirement: A tropical crop that prefer sandy loam – clayey
loam soils.
Botanical name: Alpinia galangal
Family and chromosome number: Zingiberaceae and 2n = 48
Economic parts: Rhizome
Propagation: Rhizome
Spacing:30 x 30 cm
Growth habit: A rhizomatous perennial herb.
Leaf: Elliptical, lanceolate, scaly leaves
Flower biology: Peduncled spikes arising directly from Rhizomes.
Planting time: March to June
Flowering time: August
Harvesting time: 10 months after planting
Shelf life: 72 hours @ 20-degree Celsius
Yield: 25 tonnes/ha for 12-month-old crop and 83 tonnes/ha for 24-month-old
crop
Medical significance: The Rhizome is carminative, aphrodisiac, febrifuge and
bronchodilator.It improves voice and useful in respiratory congestion.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

KALIMUSALI:

Climate and soil requirement: A tropical plant that prefer high rainfall areas
and well drained sandy loam soil.
Botanical name: Curciligo orchiodes
Family and chromosome number: Hypoxidaceae and 2n = 16
Economic parts: Roots
Propagation: Tuber material
Spacing: 45 x 30 cm
Growth habit: A rhizomatic and aromatic perennial herb
Leaf: Simple, sessile and crowded on the short stem
Flower biology: Flowers are epigynous, bisexual or unisexual
Planting time: February – March
Flowering time: August
Harvesting time: 12-13 months after planting
Shelf life: ----
Yield: 1000-1700 kg/ha
Medical significance: Used as rejuvenating tonic.Useful in general debility,
cough, jaundice, asthma and piles.
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MALABAR NUT

Climate and soil requirement: Subtropical crop that prefer clayey loam soil
Botanical name: Justicia beddomei
Family and chromosome number: Acanthaceae and 2n = 22
Economic parts: Roots and leaves
Propagation: Cuttings, 20,000 cuttings per acre.
Spacing: 90 x 45 cm
Growth habit: Tall dense evergreen perennial herb
Leaf: Oppositely arranged, lanceolate smooth-edged leaves
Flower biology: Usually white with inflorescence show large dense axillary
spikes.
Planting time: March - April
Flowering time: August
Harvesting time: 2 years after planting
Shelf life: ----
Yield: Leaf – 7 to 8 tonnes/ha and Roots – 2 to 3 tonnes/ha
Medical significance: The leaf extract contains Anisotine and Vasicoline and
pemirolast are the very good inhibitors of protease and replicase inhibitor of
COVID-19 virus.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

SWEET FLAG

Climate and soil requirement: A tropical crop prefer water logged soils.
Botanical name: Acorus calamus
Family and chromosome number: Acoraceae and 2n = 24
Economic parts: Rhizome
Propagation: Rhizome
Spacing: 30 x 30 cm
Growth habit: Semi aquatic rhizomatous perennial herb.
Leaf: Erect, aerial and sword shaped
Flower biology: Semi erect triangular flower and the inflorescence is spadix
Planting time: March
Flowering time: July
Harvesting time: September
Shelf life: ---
Yield: 1.5 to 2 tonnes/ha
Medical significance: Its aroma makes calamus essential oil valued in perfume
industry. The essence from the rhizome is used as flavour for foods. Used to
cure Gastro intestinal diseases
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PYRETHRUM

Climate and soil requirement: Subtropical crop that prefer mild cool climate and
prefer well drained light and medium loamy soils.

Botanical name: Chrysanthemum cinerariafolium

Family and chromosome number: Asteraceae and 2n = 18
Economic parts: Flowers
Propagation: Seeds
Spacing: 45 x 30 cm
Growth habit: Aerial, erect aromatic perennial herb
Leaf: Alternatively arranged leaves divided into leaflets with toothed edge
Flower biology: Compound inflorescence is an array of several floral heads.
Planting time: April – May
Flowering time: July
Harvesting time: Third month after planting
Shelf life: 3 – 5 years
Yield: 500 kg of dried flowers.
Medical significance: Active ingredient is pyrethrin. Most commonly used non
synthetic insecticide allowed in certified organic agriculture.
 MEDICINAL ANNUALS AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

REFERENCE:
1) Agritech.tnau.ac.in
2) Agro-techniques of selected medicinal plants – volume II – National medicinal Plants
Board
3) Cultivation guide of commercially important medicinal crops (Source: TNAU agritech
portal)