Painted Daisy, Pyrethrum, Alecost, Costmary
Tanacetum balsamita

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 90 cm high and spreads 45 cm high. It forms hard mats and keeps growing from year to year. It has rhizomes or underground stems. The leaves are silvery grey and scalloped along the edge. They are slightly hairy. They have an aroma. The leaves can be 30 cm long. The flowers are white and button like. The occur in large numbers and are small. They are yellow in the centre. The flowers open in full sunlight. The seeds are triangle shaped and ribbed.

There are about 70 Tanacetum species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It will grow in most well-drained soils. It does best in an open sunny position. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. In Hobart Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia (country/location of origin), Australia, Britain, Caucasus, Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Mediterranean, Netherlands, North America, Portugal, South America, Spain, SW Asia, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are occasionally used in salads. They are used in small amounts. They are also used in meat and vegetable dishes. The leaves are used to flavour beers and also soups and sauces. The leaves are sweet and have a minty-lemony flavour and are used in salads, teas, and for flavouring meats and cakes. Whole leaves are laid under cakes while cooking to flavour cakes while baking. The dried leaves are used as an infusion for tea. The leaves are used in frittata in mixtures. Flower petals are used for conserves.

IT is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, herb, spice, leaves - tea, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or by division of the roots.

Its other names

Local names

Alecost, Bible leaf, Costamary, Erba di Santa Maria, Herba cuquera, Menta cuquera

Synonyms

Balsamita major Desf.; Chrysanthemum balsamita L.; and others