Common Tansy
(Tanacetum vulgare)
Family: Asteraceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Roots: Extensive root structure, which
Leaves: Alternate, pinnately compound and become smaller toward the top of the stalk. Leaves are very aromatic when crushed. Smells mentholated
Flowers: Dense clusters of
Effective control methods:
Herbicide, mowing
Herbicide works very well to control infestations of common tansy, however, many times patches tend to grow in ditches or along waterways, which makes
Mowing: Mowing will reduce the seed bank of common tansy but because this weed also propagates through rhizomes it will not completely control this problem. Mowing is a great prelude to herbicide application because it removes old, tall stalks and
Hand-pulling: This method has not been shown to work, though, hand-pulling very small patches and meticulously removing all rhizomes may prove in slowing down growth. Again, consistency is key.