Pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariaefolium Vis.) is an endemic plant to Montenegro, Croatia and Albania. Insecticidal pyrethrin compounds (pyrethrin I and pyrethrin II) extracted from pyrethrum flowers have been used over the past 160 years primarily in communal hygiene. As pyrethrum research has been scarce in this country so far, our primary objective was to provide data on the morphology and type of habitats of wild pyrethrum in various parts of Montenegro and data on its introduction into the climatic conditions of central Serbia.

Our research was initiated in 1994 by determining 12 localities of pyrethrum populations to be object of research. All localities are situated in southern Montenegro and their choice was based on altitude, with a gradient of approximately 1000 m (the lowest 65 m al. at basement Mt. Rumija and the highest 1000 m al. in the Cetinje area). Based on such locality choice, we attempted to establish changes regarding plant properties that depend on altitude. The following morphological parameters were investigated: cluster width, cluster height from substrate to top inflorescence, number of shoots and flower-bearing stems, number of flower-heads, fresh weight of root, stem, leaves and flowers. There are parameters important in plant production.

The results show most favourable properties were found in plants of the Trsteno locality, and those plants are best for introduction into the climatic conditions of central Serbia.

Key words: pyrethrum, Montenegro, populations, morphological parameters.