Tanacetum vulgare

Tanacetum vulgare_common tansy_JM DiTomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Common names: common tansy; golden buttons; garden tansy

Tanacetum vulgare (common tansy) is a perennial herb (family Asteraceae) found in the Coastal Ranges, Cascade Range and along the north coast of California. Common tansy inhabits riparian areas, forests, and disturbed places, including urban areas, fields, and roadsides. This European native is cultivated as a landscape ornamental and as a medicinal herb. Taken in great quantities, common tansy can be fatally toxic to humans and animals, and some individuals may experience an allergic reaction after handling the foliage. Common tansy reproduces by seed and vegetatively. It is known to produce dense colonies via its extensive creeping root system, especially in riparian areas.

Cal-IPC Rating: Moderate?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Tanacetum vulgare Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Tanacetum vulgare_leaf (part)_ZoyaAkulova
    Tanacetum vulgare (common tansy) leaf (part). Photo: Zoya Akulova
    Tanacetum vulgare_seeds (achenes) and florets_JeanPawek
    Tanacetum vulgare (common tansy) seeds (achenes) and florets. Photo: Jean Pawek
    Tanacetum vulgare_inflorescence_JeanPawek
    Tanacetum vulgare (common tansy) inflorescence. Photo: Jean Pawek
    Tanacetum vulgare_growth habit_JeanPawek
    Tanacetum vulgare (common tansy) growth habit. Photo: Jean Pawek