Tanacetum balsamita Alecost (Compositae)

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Tanacetum balsamita
Alecost
(1 Page of 5)

The Tanacetum balsamita plant species is found in Europe to W. Asia. It is a member of the Compositae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Alecost. Some home gardeners know the variety as Balsamita major. (L.)Desf. Chrysanthemum balsamita.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
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Latin Name:  Tanacetum balsamita
Common Name:  Alecost
Family:  Compositae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  0.9   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  An introduced weed of roadsides in eastern N. America[43].

Cultivation Notes: An easily grown plant, it prefers a sunny warm position[52] in a dry soil[14, 37] but thrives under most conditions[4]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.0 to 7.6. The leaves emit a soft balsamic odour[4]. The sub-species T. balsamita tomentosum is called the camphor plant because of its camphor-scented foliage[238]. Plants produces lot of leaves but no flowers when grown in the shade[4], though this is an advantage when the plant is being grown for its useful leaves[200]. Alecost used to be commonly grown in the herb garden but it has fallen out of favour in recent times[4].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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