pellitory

1 herb that grows in crevices having long narrow leaves and small pink apetalous flowers [syn: pellitory-of-the-wall, wall pellitory, Parietaria difussa]

2 small Mediterranean plant containing a volatile oil once used to relieve toothache [syn: pellitory-of-Spain, Anacyclus pyrethrum]

Pellitory usually refers to a plant (Anacyclus pyrethrum), of the family Asteraceae, containing an oil once used for the relief of toothache and facial neuralgia.

It can also refer to similar species in the same family such as:

• Plants of the genus Achillea, including Achillea ptarmica (European pellitory, bastard pellitory, or wild pellitory)
• Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium), Dalmatian pellitory

Or similar species of the family Urticaceae:

• Plants of the genus Parietaria, including Parietaria officinalis (pellitory of the wall) and Parietaria judaica (spreading pellitory)

The Latin word for pellitory was pyrethrum, from Greek purethron, meaning "feverfew" (yet another member of Asteraceae), which was in turn from Greek pur, meaning "fire", from its purported warming effect.