tansy

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• tasny
• garden tansy
• golden buttons
• tansy
• common tansy
• golden-buttons

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pyrethrum vulgare

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Tanacetum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a distinct presence across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its distribution extends to the island territories of the Førøyars. Additionally, the species is documented throughout Great Britain. Finally, this medicinal plant is also established in the rugged terrain of Iceland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tanacetum vulgare is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environments, ranging from sea level up to high-altitude terrains. It is commonly found inhabiting habitats such as Campo Limpo and Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, showcasing a preference for open clearings and seasonal deciduous forests. The species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, with a minimum elevation of 0 m AMSL and a maximum reaching as high as 2400 m AMSL, maintaining a mean elevational range of approximately 1325 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1325 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Limpo, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Tanacetum vulgare is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable conditions, which facilitates its survival and regrowth. Furthermore, the species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage annually as it transitions through its seasonal cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tanacetum vulgare is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and, more specifically, a forb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. As a self-supporting species, it does not exhibit climbing or vine-like behavior. The plant displays significant variation in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, maintaining a mean plant height of approximately 0.4675 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.4675 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tanacetum vulgare is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies on traditional nutrient uptake from the soil and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships required to convert atmospheric nitrogen. The plant's foliar morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaves reaching a maximum length of 20 cm and a width ranging from a minimum of 7.5 cm to a maximum of 25 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 7.5 cm. The average leaf size is recorded at 83.76 cm², supported by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 206.08 cm²/g, which reflects the structural investment and resource-use efficiency of its leaf tissues.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf size mean:

83.76 cm²

Leaf width max:

25 cm

Leaf width mean:

7.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

206.08 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tanacetum vulgare is driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is absent in this species. The flowering period typically commences in July and extends through October. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically attracting insects, with bees acting as a primary pollinator. Self-fertilization is present within the reproductive cycle, ensuring seed production. The resulting fruits are classified as dry achenes that are indehiscent. The seeds produced are quite small, characterized by a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0002475 g (ranging from 0.0001 g to 0.00021 g) and a consistent seed volume of 0.17 mm³. To facilitate the spread of the next generation, the plant employs dual dispersal syndromes: it utilizes anemochory (wind dispersal) and hydrochory (water dispersal) to distribute its seeds across the environment.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00021 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0002475 g

Seed mass min:

1e-04 g

Seed volume max:

0.17 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tanacetum vulgare has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Chemicals

Tanacetum vulgare has 76 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Flavonoids, camphor, SABINENE, apigenin.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutics
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Pharmaceutics
2. Parasites & vectors
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

camphor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

SABINENE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

apigenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry

parthenolide

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

trans-Chrysanthenyl acetate

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

1-Epi-Ludovicin C

1. Dr. Duke

1-beta-Hydroxyarbusculin A

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Tanacetum vulgare has 354 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutics
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutics
3. Folia medica

Antispasmodic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutics
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutics

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutics

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutics

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Folia medica

Choleretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Folia medica

Diuretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutics

Conditions

Tanacetum vulgare has 12 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antispasmodic, anthelmintic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, coccidiosis.

Antispasmodic

1. Pharmaceutics
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Anthelmintic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Pharmaceutics

Antihypertensive

1. Pharmaceutics

Coccidiosis

1. Parasites & vectors

Diarrhea

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Diuretic effect

1. Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine

Diuretics

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastric ulcer

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Infectious diseases

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Preparations

Tanacetum vulgare has 10 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, Essential Oil, Extracts, H3, Water extracts.

Extracts

1. Journal of applied microbiology
2. Pharmaceutics

Essential oil

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Extracts

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

H3

1. Parasites & vectors

Water extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous solutions of ethanolic tinctures

1. Biology

Chloroform extract

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Dichloromethane and 80 % ethanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Maceration method with a mixture of solvents methanol + trifluoroacetic acid

1. Pharmaceutics

Water extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology