Common tansy is an aromatic, herbaceous perennial with multiple stems that form a clump. The plant can reach a height of 6 ft (1.8 m), but often grows 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) tall. Stems are reddish brown. Leaves are finely divided and have a “fern-like” appearance. “Button-like” yellow flowers are arranged in clusters at the stem tips. Flowering occurs July through September then the flowers senesce and brown seedheads persist until spring.
  
Tansy reproduces by both seed and rhizome to form dense stands. The seeds are lightweight and easily moved by wind, water, wildlife, equipment, etc. Please note that mowing does not control tansy, but can spread seed. Tansy can flower on a very short stem when mowed.
 
Control small infestations early either by hand pulling or using herbicides. Either method will require follow up treatments. Contact your University Extension Agent for herbicide recommendations. Biological control is in development with the goal of tansy control that is cost effective and sustainable for large infestations. Biological control is not available at this time. For more information, please see the section titled “Development of Biological Control for Common Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare”.
In order to fund this important project, we are forming a consortium consisting of Canadian and United States partners. By pooling funds, we can finance our project. Coordination of funding and dissemination of information will be handled for Canadian parties by Dr. Alec McClay through the Alberta Invasive Plant Council and for parties within the United States by Monika Chandler, with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
For more information:
United States Contact
Monika Chandler
Monika.Chandler@state.mn.us
651-201-6537
Plant Protection Division
Canada Contact:
Alec McClay, Ph.D.
alec.mcclay@shaw.ca
780-464-4962
Persons in countries other than the US or Canada, please contact either of the above listed project coordinators.
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