Scientific Name
Tanacetum vulgare
Common Name
Tansy

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Asteraceae
Plant Description
Perennial herbs, aromatic; leaves alternate, pinnately lobed and appearing divided, with narrow, toothed segments; flowers in tight heads, yellow.
Origin
North Temperate.
Distribution
Mountains.
Where Found
Weedy in disturbed areas, cultivated, escaped and naturalized in roadsides, waste places and meadows; landscape as cultivated herbaceous perennial.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Leaves, flowers.
Symptoms
Rapid, weak pulse, stomach pain, convulsions.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Young leaves and flowers HARVEST TIME: Only collect leaves and flowers from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. Collect the young leaves in the spring, flowers in the summer. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Soak young leaves and flowers in warm water to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Use fresh as a substitute for sage. SOURCE: Crowhurst, A. 1972. The Weed Cookbook. Lancer Books, Inc. New York, 190 pp.
Toxic Principle
Thujone.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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