Tansy ( T)

15. Tansy Tanacetum vulgare ( T)

Gaelic: Lus na Fraing  (the French plant)  Lus an Righ (the King’s plant), Barr a’ Bhrisgein

Other names: bitter buttons, golden buttons, cow bitter

Native to temperate Europe and Asia

Hardy perennial. Used in companion planting and biological control to repel insect pests.

Traditionally packed into coffins or wrapped in funeral winding sheets as believed to deter worms (in New England). In England placed on windowsills to repel flies, in bedlinen to repel pests and as an ant repellent. Used as an ingredient in mosquito and tick repellents. Historically used to flavour puddings and omelettes. Tansy and caraway seeds were traditionally baked in biscuits to be served at funerals in Yorkshire

Used in Finland in 18th century as a green dye (probably the whole plant) but not recorded as a traditional dye in Scotland.

Dye: the flowering tops produce a golden yellow, the whole plants produce bronze