What is a Tansy?
A tansy is a plant in the Tanacetum genus, especially T. vulgaris, a popular herbaceous ornamental used in the garden. Tansy has historically been used for a number of medical purposes, although modern gardeners usually prefer to grow it as an ornamental, rather than as a source of medicinal compounds. Gardeners should also be aware that tansy is considered an invasive species in many regions of the world outside its native Eurasia, and some gardening organizations discourage the cultivation of tansy for this reason. Plants in this genus are all generally shrubby in nature, with upright, reddish stems and bright yellow flowers which look like little buttons. Tansy also has a very sharp aroma which is quite distinctive and memorable, and may explain why the plant was used medicinally, as many traditional herbals have strong odors, suggesting that people believed odoriferous plants were more beneficial than others. Tansy will grow as a perennial in some areas, and as an annual in cooler
