Tanacetum parthenium
Feverfew
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by white ray flowers are clearly diagnostic.
Feverfew is a naturalized perennial herb found in diverse California bioregions including the Klamath Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, and southern coastal areas in disturbed areas, fields, and woodlands at elevations generally below 2,100 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white ray flowers and yellow disk flowers in compact heads 5 to 20 millimeters wide. Growing with erect or ascending branched stems 20 to 80 centimeters tall that are glabrous at the base and lightly hairy toward the tips, it develops from a robust taproot. Its leaves are primarily along the stem, oblong-ovate to triangular, 4 to 10 centimeters long, with 1 to 2 pinnately divided segments featuring multiple oblong lobes with toothed margins. The fruit is small, 1 to 2 millimeters long with 5 to 10 visible ribs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; white ray flowers are clearly diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Occasional. Disturbed areas, fields, woodland
Elevation: generally < 2100 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Tanacetum parthenium blooms Jun-Aug.
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 parthenium native to California?
No. Tanacetum parthenium is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Tanacetum parthenium bloom?
Tanacetum parthenium blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Tanacetum parthenium belong to?
Tanacetum parthenium is in the Asteraceae family, genus Tanacetum.
What habitat does Tanacetum parthenium grow in?
Tanacetum parthenium grows in Occasional. Disturbed areas, fields, woodland.
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.