Tanacetum bipinnatum
Dune tansy
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Tanacetum bipinnatum (Dune tansy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by habitat specialization and growth form.
Dune tansy is a California native perennial found in northern coastal regions, including northern Coast Ranges and northern Central Coast, growing on coastal dunes at elevations below 30 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads clustered in groups of 5 to 12, with some heads showing ray flowers up to 7 millimeters long. Growing 5 to 80 centimeters tall with decumbent to ascending stems emerging from a rhizome, it displays a spreading or sprawling growth habit. Its leaves are complex, typically 7 to 25 centimeters long and 3 to 10 centimeters wide, with multiple pinnate lobes divided into 6 to 24 pairs of linear to oblong segments, often covered in soft, long hairs. The fruit is small, 2 to 3 millimeters long with weak ribs or angles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; habitat specialization and growth form are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Coastal dunes
Elevation: < 30 m
Outside California: to Alaska, northern Canada, north-central United States, Eurasia
Bloom period
Tanacetum bipinnatum blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Achillea: Achillea has obvious white ray flowers; Tanacetum buttons lack rays entirely; vs Anthemis: Anthemis has a cone-shaped receptacle; Tanacetum receptacle is flat or slightly convex; vs Chamaemelum: Chamaemelum receptacle is distinctly hollow; Tanacetum solid - gently squeeze flower center; vs Chrysanthemum: Chrysanthemum has spreading ray flowers; Tanacetum typically rayless yellow buttons; vs Erigeron: Erigeron has thin thread-like rays; Tanacetum buttons completely lack rays
Frequently asked questions
Is Tanacetum bipinnatum native to California?
Yes. Tanacetum bipinnatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Tanacetum bipinnatum bloom?
Tanacetum bipinnatum blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Tanacetum bipinnatum belong to?
Tanacetum bipinnatum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Tanacetum.
What habitat does Tanacetum bipinnatum grow in?
Tanacetum bipinnatum grows in Uncommon. Coastal dunes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.