Tanacetum: A Deep Dive with Ferb Vu
The world of botany is a vast and fascinating one, filled with an incredible diversity of plant life. As a plant enthusiast, I’m always eager to delve deeper into the intricacies of different genera, and today, I’m excited to share my exploration of the genus Tanacetum with you.
Tanacetum, a member of the Asteraceae family, is a diverse genus comprising around 135 species. These plants, commonly known as tansies, are native to many regions of the Northern Hemisphere. While the term “tansy” often refers specifically to Tanacetum vulgare, the common or garden tansy, the genus encompasses a wide variety of fascinating species.
Morphological Characteristics of Tanacetum
Tansies exhibit a diverse range of growth habits, including annuals, herbaceous perennials, and even subshrubs. Their leaves, often aromatic, are typically deeply cut and exhibit a feathery or fern-like appearance. The inflorescences are generally composed of button-like or daisy-like flower heads, showcasing a vibrant array of colors, including yellow, white, and pink.
A Look at Some Noteworthy Tanacetum Species
The genus Tanacetum boasts a rich assortment of species, each with its unique characteristics and uses. Here are:
- Tanacetum abrotanifolium (L.) Druce
- Tanacetum abrotanoides K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum achilleifolium (M.Bieb.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum akinfiewii (F.N.Alex.) Tzvelev
- Tanacetum alatavicum Herder
- Tanacetum albanicum (Markgr.) Barina
- Tanacetum albipannosum Hub.-Mor. & Grierson
- Tanacetum alyssifolium (Bornm.) Grierson
- Tanacetum archibaldii Podlech
- Tanacetum argenteum (Lam.) Willd.
- Tanacetum armenum (DC.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum artemisioides Sch.Bip. ex Hook.f.
- Tanacetum atkinsonii (C.B.Clarke) Kitam.
- Tanacetum aucheri DC.
- Tanacetum aucherianum (DC.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum audibertii DC.
- Tanacetum aureum (Lam.) Greuter, M.V.Agab. & Wagenitz
- Tanacetum azerbaidjanicum (Podlech) Sonboli & Behjou
- Tanacetum bachtiaricum Mozaff.
- Tanacetum balsamita L.
- Tanacetum baltistanicum Podlech
- Tanacetum bamianicum Podlech
- Tanacetum barclayanum DC.
- Tanacetum bipinnatum Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum budjnurdense (Rech.f.) Tzvelev
- Tanacetum cadmeum (Boiss.) Heywood
- Tanacetum canescens DC.
- Tanacetum cappadocicum (DC.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum changaicum (Krasch. ex Grubov) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum chitralense (Podlech) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum cilicium (Boiss.) Grierson
- Tanacetum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum coccineum (Willd.) Grierson
- Tanacetum corymbiforme (Tzvelev) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum corymbosum (L.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum crassipes (Stschegl.) Tzvelev
- Tanacetum daghestanicum (Boiss.) Chandjian
- Tanacetum densum (Labill.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum depauperatum (Post) Grierson
- Tanacetum dumosum Boiss.
- Tanacetum eginense (Hausskn. ex Bornm.) Grierson
- Tanacetum elbursense Mozaff.
- Tanacetum emodi R.Khan
- Tanacetum erzincanense Korkmaz, Kandemir & Ilhan
- Tanacetum falconeri Hook.f.
- Tanacetum galae (Popov) Nevski
- Tanacetum germanicopolitanum (Bornm. & Heimerl) Grierson
- Tanacetum ghoratense Podlech
- Tanacetum griffithii (C.B.Clarke) Muradyan
- Tanacetum haradjanii (Rech.f.) Grierson
- Tanacetum haussknechtii (Bornm.) Grierson
- Tanacetum heterotomum (Bornm.) Grierson
- Tanacetum hissaricum (Krasch.) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum hololeucum (Bornm.) Podlech
- Tanacetum isfahanicum Sonboli & Naderifar
- Tanacetum joharchii Sonboli & Kaz.Osaloo
- Tanacetum karelinii Tzvelev
- Tanacetum kaschgarianum K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum kelleri (Krylov & Plotn.) Takht.
- Tanacetum kittaryanum (C.A.Mey.) Tzvelev
- Tanacetum kotschyi (Boiss.) Grierson
- Tanacetum krylovianum (Krasch.) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum kurdistanicum Maroofi & Rastegar
- Tanacetum lanuginosum Sch.Bip. & Herder
- Tanacetum larvatum (Griseb. ex Pant.) Hayek
- Tanacetum leptophyllum (Steven ex M.Bieb.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum macrocephalum Pamp.
- Tanacetum macrophyllum (Waldst. & Kit.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum marionii (Albov) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum maymanense Podlech
- Tanacetum millefolium (L.) Tzvelev
- Tanacetum mindshelkense Kovalevsk.
- Tanacetum mucroniferum Hub.-Mor. & Grierson
- Tanacetum mucronulatum (Hoffmanns. & Link) Heywood
- Tanacetum munzurdaghensis Yıld.
- Tanacetum musilii (Velen.) Soldano
- Tanacetum nitens (Boiss. & Noë) Grierson
- Tanacetum nivale Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum niveum (Lag.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum nuristanicum Podlech
- Tanacetum odessanum (Klokov) Tzvelev
- Tanacetum oltense (Sosn.) Grierson
- Tanacetum oxystegium (Sosn.) Grierson
- Tanacetum paczoskii (Zefir.) Tzvelev
- Tanacetum pakistanicum Podlech
- Tanacetum paradoxum Bornm.
- Tanacetum partheniifolium (Willd.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum petrareum (C.Shih) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum peucedanifolium (Sosn.) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum pinnatum Boiss.
- Tanacetum polycephalum Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum porphyrostephanum (Rech.f.) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum poteriifolium (Ledeb. ex Nordm.) Grierson
- Tanacetum praeteritum (Horw.) Heywood
- Tanacetum pulchellum (Turcz. ex DC.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum pulchrum (Ledeb.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum punctatum (Desr.) Grierson
- Tanacetum richterioides (C.Winkl.) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum robustum Hook.f. & Thomson ex C.B.Clarke
- Tanacetum roylei (DC.) Podlech
- Tanacetum salsugineum Podlech
- Tanacetum sanguineum (Parsa) Parsa
- Tanacetum santolina C.Winkl.
- Tanacetum saryarkense Kamelin
- Tanacetum saxicola (Krasch.) Tzvelev
- Tanacetum scopulorum (Krasch.) Tzvelev
- Tanacetum sericeum (Adams) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum silaifolium (Steven ex DC.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum silvicola Podlech
- Tanacetum sinaicum (Fresen.) Delile ex K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum sipikorense (Bornm.) Grierson
- Tanacetum sonbolii Mozaff.
- Tanacetum songaricum (Tzvelev) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum sorbifolium (Boiss.) Grierson
- Tanacetum stapfianum (Rech.f.) Podlech
- Tanacetum stoliczkae (C.B.Clarke) R.Khan
- Tanacetum tabrisianum (Boiss.) Sosn. & Takht.
- Tanacetum tanacetoides (DC.) Tzvelev
- Tanacetum tarighii Sonboli
- Tanacetum tatsienense (Bureau & Franch.) K.Bremer & Humphries
- Tanacetum tenuissimum (Trautv.) Grossh.
- Tanacetum tirinense Podlech
- Tanacetum tomentellum (Boiss.) Grierson
- Tanacetum transiliense Herder
- Tanacetum tricholobum (Sosn. ex Manden.) Chandjian
- Tanacetum trifoliolatum Podlech
- Tanacetum ulutavicum Tzvelev
- Tanacetum uniflorum (Fisch. & C.A.Mey. ex DC.) Sch.Bip.
- Tanacetum urmiense Tabad, Maroofi & Rastegar
- Tanacetum vahlii DC.
- Tanacetum vulgare L.
- Tanacetum yabrudae (Mouterde) Charpin & Dittrich
- Tanacetum zahlbruckneri (Nábělek) Grierson
- Tanacetum zangezuricum Chandjian
The Ecological Role of Tanacetum
Tansies play a vital role in their ecosystems, providing nectar and pollen resources for a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. They also serve as host plants for various insect species.
Human Uses of Tanacetum
Throughout history, humans have utilized Tanacetum species for various purposes. Some species, like common tansy and feverfew, have been employed in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Others, like costmary, have been used as culinary herbs or for their aromatic properties. Pyrethrum, with its potent insecticidal properties, has been used to control pests in agriculture and households.
Cultivation and Care of Tanacetum
Many Tanacetum species are relatively easy to cultivate, thriving in a variety of conditions. They generally prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Propagation can be achieved through seed sowing, division, or cuttings.
Concluding Thoughts
The genus Tanacetum is a testament to the incredible diversity of the plant kingdom. From their varied growth habits and floral displays to their ecological roles and human uses, tansies offer a fascinating glimpse into the intricate world of botany. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener, a plant enthusiast, or simply curious about the natural world, I encourage you to explore the wonders of Tanacetum and appreciate the beauty and utility of these remarkable plants.
