Make sure you left your guess for this mystery invasive on our Facebook or Instagram post, as this is your last chance to enter our giveaway – details below!
My leaves are serrated, long, and dark green,
Topped with bright yellow buttons that are easily seen,
Like many invasives, I’m toxic to eat,
And considered noxious in parts of BC.
Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a perennial flowering plant that has invaded almost every nook and cranny of the Sea to Sky region. Originally from Europe, Asia and Siberia, Common Tansy was introduced to North America in the 18th century as a garden ornamental and for medicinal purposes. The name ‘tansy’ comes from a Greek word that means immortal, as its leaves were once used to preserve meat and perishable goods, and for embalming. Despite its medicinal properties, Common Tansy contains alkaloids that can be toxic to humans and livestock if consumed in large quantities.
While driving the Sea to Sky highway this time of year, it’s almost impossible to miss Common Tansy’s yellow flowers. Up close you will see that small button-shaped flowers make up the dense, flat-topped flower clusters at the end of the stems. When not in bloom, this invasive can easily be identified by its fern-like leaves that produce a strong odour when crushed. Its leaves are arranged in an alternate pattern along the purple-red stem. Common Tansy can grow to an impressive height of 1.8 m.
You can expect to see Common Tansy in sunny areas with well-drained, fertile soils. It is often found on river banks, riparian habitats, pasture lands, and in newly-disturbed areas.
This invasive can crowd out native plants and restrict water flow through waterways. Common Tansy has proven to be a nightmare for farmers as it displaces forage in pastures, is toxic to cattle, and reduces their butterfat production.
Like many troublesome invasives, Common Tansy can reproduce both by seed and vegetatively, from roots and creeping rhizomes. Due to the plant’s extensive root system and substantial population, control of Common Tansy is challenging. SSISC strategically controls Common Tansy throughout the Sea to Sky. If you spot Common Tansy encroaching on valuable land, report the sighting here.
I Spy in the Sea to Sky Contest
It’s your last month to guess the invasive species in our I Spy in the Sea to Sky weekly social media post, to enter the giveaway. At the end of the month, one lucky commenter will win a Native Wildflower seed mix packet!
Contest Rules:
- Comment your guess (common name or species name) on either Facebook or Instagram post to enter
- One entry per person per post
- Anyone can play, but only residents of the Sea to Sky region are eligible to win (as prizes will be delivered)
- Content entries will close at 11:59 PM PST on the last day of the month
- Winners will be announced in the first week of the following month on the SSISC Instagram story and contacted via their platform of entry
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