Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Dune Tansy (Tanacetum bipinnatum) is a native perennial herb in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast and Central Coast regions. It grows from a rhizome. The leaves are lacy and ferny. The inflorescence bears up to 15 flower heads, each about a centimeter wide. Each head contains many yellowish disc florets and many pistillate florets around the edges. The latter may have minute ray florets. The fruit is an achene a few millimeters long which is tipped with a small pappus of toothed scales. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-1,000 feet, primarily in Coastal Strand habitat. It is hairy, glandular, and aromatic, with a camphor-like scent.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

10 in Tall

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

Pleasant

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Summer, Fall

Special uses

Groundcover, Lawn alternative

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Moderate

Summer irrigation

Max 2x / month once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 25° F

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Sandy.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 7.0

Sunset Zones

4, 5*, 8, 9, 14, 15*, 16*, 17*, 19, 20, 21, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Dunes of the north coast

Plant communities

Coastal Strand

Use in a sandy, north coast garden with Sand Verbena (Abronia latifolia or umbellata), Beach Bur (Artemisia chamissonis), Beach Sagewort (Artemisia pycnocephala), Beach Morning Glory (Calystegia soldanella), Seaside Daisy (Erigeron glaucus), and Coast Buckwheat (Eriogonum latifolium)

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 1 likely

Confirmed Likely

Yarrow Plume Moth

Gillmeria pallidactyla