Taxonomy

Common tansy is in the sunflower taxonomic family (Asteraceae). The genus name, Tanacetum was applied by Linnaeus in the eighteenth century and is believed to be derived from the Greek root athanotos which can be broken down to ‘without death’, implies immortality, and was likely a reference to the medicinal qualities and preservative uses of plants in this genus. The name Tanacetum can also be traced back to the Romans. Medieval Latin referred to common tansy as tanazetum or athanacetum, from which Old French changed it to tanesie (tanaisie in modern French) which sounds similar to tansy. The species name vulgare is from Latin and is often applied to weeds and usually used to mean ‘ordinary’ or ‘common’. Thus the common name is very closely related to the scientific name. Synonyms include Chrysanthemum vulgare and Tanacetum boreale. Another common name is golden buttons.

There are about 50 annual or perennial, herbaceous or sub-shrub species in the Tanacetum genus mostly from the Old World. Current taxonomic classification lists seven Tanacetum species in the U.S. (USDA-NRCS Plants Database). Two species are native; T. bipinnatum (L.) Schultz-Bip. (Lake Huron tansy) and T. camphoratum Less. (camphor tansy). Lake Huron tansy grows in Michigan and Wisconsin where it is listed as threatened, in Maine where it is a species of special concern, and in Alaska, and Canada (also Siberia and Russia). Lake Huron tansy can be distinguished from common tansy by its low-growth habit (generally less than one foot or 10 to 20 centimeters) and larger flowerheads (up to 3/4-inch or 2 centimeters). Camphor tansy is found in California, Oregon, and Washington, and while it is not listed as threatened, the habitat in which it grows is considered threatened. The leaves of camphor tansy are pinnately dissected, but the ultimate sections and teeth are rounded, giving the leaf a less jagged appearance than common tansy. Also, camphor tansy only grows up to two feet (60 centimeters) tall. There are four non-native Tanacetum species reported in the U.S. other than common tansy. Two can be found in Montana and Wyoming; T. balsamita (L.) commonly called costmary, and T. parthenium (L.) Schultz-Bip. (feverfew). The leaves of costmary are not finely-pinnately dissected, and the flowerheads of feverfew have white petal-like ray flowers. Neither species are considered invasive. Sexual hybrids between T. parthenium and T. vulgare have been documented. Common tansy is closely related taxonomically to oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare).

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Last Modified: 02/26/2008