Weed of the Week

11-13-07

Common Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare

 

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 Charcteristics:

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

Origin: Europe

Description:

• Aromatic perennial
• 1.5-6 Feet tall
• Reproduces from leaves and stalks

Stems: 

• Purplish, Red in color
• Semi-erect

Flowers:

• Yellow
• ¼ to ½  inch across
• Formed in racemes (flat dense clusters) at the end of stems
• Button like with no petals

Leaves

• Alternate
• Divided into leaflets with serrated margins
• 2-10 inches in length

Fruits:

• Yellowish brown
• Has 5 short toothed crowns

Additional Information:

            Common tansy is a Class B noxious weed in the state of Colorado. It was originally introduced as a garden plant and has now escaped to become a pest. It Generally found along roadsides, waste areas, streambanks and in pastures. It is undesirable as forage and has medicinal qualities. It is often confused with tansy ragwort.  Common tansy is also known as garden tansy.

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