Composite Jfamil^. 



Tansy. Tanacehmi valgai-e. 



Found in July and August, cliiefly along walls and fences, although 

 occasionally in fields. 



The stout and sturdy stalk, which grows to be sometimes 4 feet 

 high, is branching and leafy, tough-fibred, round and smooth. Of a 

 rich, light green color. 



The large and long leaf is so deeply cleft into many narrow, oblong 

 divisions, and the margin is so regularly toothed, that it bears the ap- 

 pearance of a curly feather; the vigorous curving midrib is an important 

 feature ; its texture is coarse, and it is pungently odorous. The color 

 is a full, rich, dark green. 



The flowers are very small, of a strong, full yello\s', tending slightly 

 toward green ; packed tightly into a flat head, like a button with a little 

 dent in the middle. The heads, enclosed in a shallow, yellow-green 

 leafy cup, are set on slender, light green stems, and arranged in large, 

 loose teruiinal clusters. 



Growing in thickly-settled communities the Tansy plant forms a 

 well known member of the roadside tenantry with its noble dark foliage, 

 luxuriant and usually free from blight, and strong stalks topped pro- 

 fusely by the flower clusters, whose yellow is toned to a remarkable 

 harmony with green. On a hot day the smell of the Tansy may be per- 

 ceived at a considerable distance. " In the spring time are made with 

 the leaves hereof, newly sprung up, and with eggs, cakes or Tansies, 

 which be pleasant in taste, and goode for the stomacke," says Gerarde, 

 and echoes of rules for Tansy-cakes come to us from the records of early 

 New England house-wives. 



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