Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Also known as:
tansy, golden buttons
Common tansy is a herb with small, yellow, button-like flowers. It is poisonous to people and livestock and reduces productivity in grazing land.
Profile
How does this weed affect you?
Common tansy:
- forms dense infestations that outcompete desirable plants
- reduces pasture production
- contains thujone which is poisonous to people and animals
- can cause skin irritations
- taints milk if dairy cattle eat the leaves.
Human health
Common tansy can cause skin irritations if touched.
If common tansy is consumed it can cause:
- liver and brain damage
- convulsions
- muscle spasms
- stomach inflammation or gastritis
- a rapid or weak pulse rate.
Livestock poisoning
Common tansy is more toxic to cattle than sheep, however livestock rarely eat it.
What does it look like?
Common tansy is an erect perennial herb up to 1.5 m high. It is either unbranched or sparsely branched.
Leaves are:
- lobed and deeply divided into toothed segments, giving a fern like appearance
- up to 25 cm long and 12 cm wide
- hairless or sparsely hairy
- dotted with glands and have a strong smell when crushed
- on stalks up to 5 cm long
- alternate along the stem.
Flowerheads are:
- bright yellow
- button-like with a flat top
- 5–9 mm in diameter
- in clusters
- present from spring to autumn.
Fruit are:
- dry one-seeded, with 5 ribs and a minute toothed crown
- pale brown
- 1.2–1.8 mm long.
Stems are:
- ribbed
- sometimes sparsely hairy
Roots are:
- deep and extensive
- thick
- attached to rhizomes.
Similar looking plants
Common tansy flowerheads look similar to the native Australian plants called billy buttons (Craspedia spp.). Billy buttons’ leaves are not divided or fernlike.
Where is it found?
In NSW, most plants have been recorded growing in the Central Tablelands, Greater Sydney and South East regions. Plants have also been found in the Riverina, Central West, North West and Northern Tablelands regions.
Common Tansy is native to Europe, northern Asia and northern North America.
What type of environment does it grow in?
Common tansy grows best in cool temperate climates as seeds germinate best after cold weather. Plants grow best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Common tansy tolerates a wide range of soil types, though grows best in moist, well drained fertile soils. Plants prefer disturbed sites, and they often grow:
- along roadsides and railways
- along fence lines
- beside waterways
- in rangelands and pastures.
How does it spread?
By seed
Common tansy plants can produce up to 2000 seeds per year. The seeds can be spread:
- by water, as they can float well
- by sticking to clothing and animal fur or feathers
- in contaminated soil stuck to hooves, paws, boots or machinery.
By plant parts
Common tansy has an extensive, spreading root system. Rhizomes can be spread by machinery or people dumping garden waste.
References
DiTomaso, J. M., Kyser, G. B., Oneto, S. R., Wilson, R. G., Orloff, S. B., Anderson, L. W., ... & Mann, J. J. (2013). Weed Report: Common Tansy from Weed control in natural areas in the western United States. Weed Research and Information Center, University of California. Retrieved 3 July 2025 from https://wric.ucdavis.edu/information/natural%20areas/wr_T/Tanacetum.pdf
Gucker, C. L. (2009). Tanacetum vulgare. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer).Retrieved 3 July from: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/forb/tanvul/all.html
Karcheva-Bahchevanska, D., Benbassat, N., Georgieva, Y., Lechkova, B., Ivanova, S., Ivanov, K., ... & Denev, P. (2023). A study of the chemical composition, antioxidant potential, and acute toxicity of Bulgarian Tanacetum vulgare L. essential oil. Molecules, 28(16), 6155.
PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 3 July from: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Tanacetum~vulgare
Richardson F.J.,Richardson R.G. and Shepherd R.C.H (2006).Weeds of the south-east an identification guide for Australia. (R.G. and F.J. Richardson, Melbourne).
Thompson, I.R. Tanacetum vulgare, in (ed.), Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 3 July 2025 from https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Tanacetum%20vulgare
VicFlora (2025). Flora of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 3 July 2025 from: https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au.
More information
Control
Successful weed control requires follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.
Common tansy can cause skin irritation. Wear appropriate protective clothing including gloves when treating this weed.
Physical removal
By hand
Small infestations can be hand pulled or dug out. Make sure all of the rhizomes are removed.
Slashing
Slashing or mowing before flowering can limit the amount of seed produced. Do not slash fruiting plants as this can spread the seeds.
Chemical control
Spot spraying
Spray actively growing plants. Cover all of the foliage with the herbicide mixture.
Herbicide options
WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
See Using herbicides for more information.
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 10 mL per 1 L water
Comments: Spot spray. For general weed control in domestic areas (home gardens), commercial, industrial and public service areas, agricultural buildings and other farm situations.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Biosecurity duty
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
| Area | Duty |
|---|---|
| All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2025
