114 C. J. HUMPHRIES 



To emphasize the fact that there is a general reduction in various features in montane populations, 

 two varieties are recognized. 



Distribution and ecology: See Fig. 13. The distribution of Anacyclus pyrethrum covers a wide 

 altitudinal range in all of the principal mountain ranges west of Guelma in Algeria in localities 

 above 800 m. It occurs in Morocco in all exposed areas of the Moyen. Haut and Anti-Atlas and 

 Algeria from all of the principal mountain ranges. In southern Spain all records refer to the 

 Sierra de Alcaraz near Albacete. 



The usual habitat is well drained stony ground or grassland between (800) 1100 and 3000 m, 

 the species being particularly abundant around 1500 m. 



Collections: 142 collections have been examined, mainly from the Haut and Moyen Atlas 

 mountains and north-west Algeria. 



a. Var. pyrethrum 



Anacyclus pyrethrum var.genuinum Doumergue in C.r. Ass.fr. Avanc. Sci. 25 : 388 (1897), nom. illeg. 

 Anacyclus pyrethrum var. typicus Maire in Mem. Soc. Sci. not. Phys. Maroc 15 : 39 (1926), nom. illeg. 



Caudex robust. Leaf-bases persistent. Capitula 13-0-22-0 mm in diameter. Cypselas with thick 

 wings. 



Collections: Specimens mostly originate from Algeria but are common in Morocco in the more 

 sheltered localities of the Moyen and Haut Atlas mountains. 



b. Var. depressus (Ball) Maire 



in Jahandiez & Maire, Cat. Pi. Maroc. 3 : 768 (1934). 



Anacyclus depressus Ball in /. Bot., Lond. : 365 (1873); /. Linn. Soc. (Bot.) 16 : 503-504, t. 24 (1877). 



Orig. coll. : Hooker & Ball s.n. 'In regione superiore Atlantis majoris. In convalle Ait Mesan et in 



jugo Tagheret a 2200 m ad 2800 m' (K, holotypus). 

 Anacyclus feyni Porta & Rigo in Atti J. R. Acad. Sci. Lett. Arli Nov. 2:213 (1 896) Orig. coll. : Porta & 



Rigo 721, 19-27/6/1891 (FI, holotypus, B, E, G, JE, M, S, W, U, Z, isotypi) [Anacyclus freynianus 



Porta & Rigo in sched. A.freyni(i) auct.]. 

 Anacyclus pyrethrum var. subdepressus Doumergue in C.r. Ass. fr. Advanc. Sci. 25 2 : 388 (1897). 



Orig. coll.: Doumergue s.n., Bedeau, El Aricha (AL, holotypus). 

 Anacyclus pyrethrum var. microcephalus Maire in Mem. Soc. Sci. not. Phys. Maroc 15 : 39 (1926). 



Orig. coll.: Maire s.n. 'Hab. in pascuis subalpinis Atlantis medii solo siliceo, ad alt. 1700-2000 m* 



(AL, holotypus, RAB, isotypus). 



Caudex slender. Leaf bases not persistent. Capitula 7-12 mm n diameter. Cypselas with thin 

 wings. 



Collections: Specimens mostly originate from high alpine localities of the Atlas mountains, and 

 also from exposed places in Spain and Algeria. 



Anacyclus pyrethrum in medicine and the origin of A. officinarum Hayne 



Pyrethrum, commonly known as pellitory, also as Spanish or Roman pellitory, Spanish chamo- 

 mile, the 7ivpe0pv of Dioscorides and known in the east as Akurkurka, is the Anacyclus pyrethrum 

 of modern writers. It owes its Greek and subsequent botanical names to the fiery and pungent 

 flavour of the root (caudex) and the Latin name Salivaria because on chewing it causes a remark- 

 able flow of saliva (Harley, 1876). In fact the caudex appears to be the only part which was 

 widely used in medicine, because of its pungent efficacy in relieving toothache and promoting a 

 free flow of saliva. Mary Grieve (191 1) tells us that: 'the British Pharmacopoeia directs that it be 

 used as a masticatory, and in the form of lozenges for its reflex action on the salivary glands in 

 dryness of the mouth and throat. The tincture made from the dried root [caudex] may be applied 

 to relieve the aching of a decayed tooth, applied on cotton wool, or rubbed along the gums, 



