Japanese name: ヨモギギク（蓬菊） Scientific name:Tanacetum vulgare var. vulgare
[Overview]
A perennial 70–130 cm tall, widely distributed in Eurasia.
It has long creeping underground stems.
The stem branches in the upper part.
The leaves are alternate, 5–15 cm long, deeply twice pinnately divided, and clasp the stem at the base.
There are 7–10 pairs of primary pinnae; the secondary pinnae are lanceolate, 2–3 mm wide, with sharp teeth and glandular dots on the surface.
Sparse cobwebby hairs grow on both sides of the leaves.
The main axis between the pinnae also has teeth.
It has fewer lobes than Ezo-yomogigiku.
Dense corymbs at the stem tips bear yellow flower heads about 1 cm across.
The flower heads consist only of tubular florets and are hemispherical.
The leaves and flower heads have a distinctive strong fragrance similar to camphor.
[Uses]
It is poisonous, so it should not be eaten.
It has antibacterial and insect-repellent effects, and the dried leaves were used as an herb to repel insects.
The stems, leaves and flowers are used as dyes.
It is used for potpourri and dried flowers.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by cuttings, or by division.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
It is easy to grow, but it spreads by underground stems, so if overgrowth is a concern, build a barrier in the soil.
