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
Medicinal | Edible Uses

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].

Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or used as a flavouring in soups, beer etc[2, 4, 14, 27, 52, 177, 183]. They can be chopped and added sparingly to salads[183]. They have a very pleasant aroma, but can be overpowering in the food if you are not careful[K]. The leaves were at one time widely used in brewing beer, before being superseded by hops (Humulus lupulus)[238]. The whole leaves can be laid in cake trays to flavour the cake whilst it is baking[183]. The flower petals are used for conserves[183]. A delicious tea is made from the dried leaves[14, 21, 183].

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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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