Island County > Public Health > Natural Resources > Noxious Weed Control Board > Terrible 10 Tansy

Terrible 10 - Tansy

Found in open pastures, roadside areas, ditches, clearcuts.
Biennial, first year growth is a ruffled, rosette, second year sends up one or more stalks 1-6 ft high. Leaves lobed and deeply cut, dark green above and lighter underside. Bright yellow flowers like small daisy with a yellow button and 13 small petals appear in late summer; common tansy is a close relative but flowers have no petals.
Native to Europe, first found here 1920’s, believed to be from contaminated hay.
Toxic to cattle and horses causing irreparable liver damage. Seeds can last 15 years so infestations require continual monitoring.

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