Tansy is a herbaceous perennial that grows up to 5' tall. Stems are kind of hairy, woody, and purplish red near the base.
Leaves: Leaves are 2-12" long and are half as wide. The leaves are toothed and are strongly aromatic when crushed.
Flowers: Flowers are clusters of bright yellow discs. Discs are around .5" wide and they bloom in July through October.
Fruits & Seeds: Seeds are yellowish brown and are dispersed by wind, water, and roadside mowing.
Roots: Spreads vegetatively forming new plants from even small root fragments.
Ecological threats
- Tansy invades well drained and sandy soils in prairies, fields, pastures, and roadsides.
- It is unpalatable to grazing animals, and contains alkaloids that are toxic to both livestock and humans if consumed in large quantities.