Balsamita vulgaris

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• costmary
• costmary chrysanthemum
• mint-geranium

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chrysanthemum majus
• Pyrethrum tanacetum
• Pyrethrum balsamita var. tanacetoides
• Balsamita major var. tanacetoides
• Pyrethrum majus
• Balsamita major
• Chamaemelum balsamita
• Chrysanthemum balsamita f. tanacetoides
• Leucanthemum balsamita
• Matricaria balsamita

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Following the order Asterales, it is a member of the Asteraceae family. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Tanacetum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Its range extends further north into the territories of Norway and Sweden. Additionally, the species is distributed within Middle Europe, specifically in Belgium. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in varied European environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tanacetum balsamita is characterized by its presence in low-lying landscapes, specifically occupying an elevational range that extends from sea level up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. This species is commonly found inhabiting disturbed environments, with a notable preference for growing along roadsides.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

roadsides

Life history

The life history of Tanacetum balsamita is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. Morphologically, the species exhibits a hemicryptophyte life form, meaning that its perennial buds and overwintering organs are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or snow during the dormant period. This specific life form, consistent across both its structural and functional classifications as a hemicryptophyte, enables the plant to re-emerge reliably each spring to continue its reproductive and vegetative cycles.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tanacetum balsamita is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, nor does it exhibit any parasitic behavior, growing instead as an independent organism. In terms of its ecological habitat and life habit, it is a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic one. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tanacetum balsamita is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and resource acquisition strategies. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme Rubisco to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into three-carbon organic compounds during the Calvin cycle, a mechanism that is highly efficient under temperate, moist, and shaded environmental conditions. This physiological mode influences the plant's stomatal conductance and transpiration rates, as it must balance the intake of CO2 with the risk of water loss through transpiration. Furthermore, its physiological processes are closely linked to the biosynthesis of volatile secondary metabolites, such as essential oils, which are integrated into its metabolic pathways to serve roles in chemical defense and environmental adaptation. The energy budget of the plant is thus a complex interplay between its C3 carbon assimilation and the metabolic demands of producing specialized phytochemicals.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tanacetum balsamita is characterized by a specific flowering window and distinct seed morphology. The plant typically begins its flowering period in August and concludes in September. The resulting fruits are classified as achenes, which are notably indehiscent in nature. Regarding the progeny, the seeds produced are highly uniform in size, with a mean, minimum, and maximum seed mass all recorded at approximately 2e-04 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass mean:

2e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tanacetum balsamita has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CARVONE, 1,8-Cineole, ALPHA-PINENE, BETA-PINENE, Borneol.

CARVONE

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
2. Veterinary research forum : an international quarterly journal

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Borneol

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPHENE

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Isoborneol

1. Dr. Duke

LIMONENE

1. Dr. Duke

Monoterpenes

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Activities

Tanacetum balsamita has 151 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, AChE-Inhibitor.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Veterinary research forum : an international quarterly journal

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Veterinary research forum : an international quarterly journal

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Tanacetum balsamita has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include abdominal pain.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations