ETYM Old Eng. tansaye, French tanaise; cf. Italian and Spanish tanaceto, New Lat. tanacetum, Portu. atanasia, athanasia, Greek athanasia immortality, from athanatos immortal; a priv. + qanatos death. /> Common perennial aromatic herb native to Eurasia having buttonlike yellow flower heads and bitter-tasting pinnate leaves sometimes used medicinally; SYN. golden buttons, scented fern, Tanacetum vulgare.
Perennial herb Tanacetum vulgare, family Compositae, native to Europe. The yellow flower heads grow in clusters on stalks up to 120 cm/4 ft tall, and the aromatic leaves are used in cooking.