Other Names: Bachelor's Buttons

Color: Gold

Uses:

The name Tansy is probably derived from the Greek Athanaton (immortal).  There are two reasons for this name.  First, the flower lasts very long even when you cut it.  It was also was used as a main preservative for dead bodies.  One story claims that it was given to Ganymede to make him immortal. It is also connected with Easter, a time when even archbishops and bishops played handball with men of their congregation.  The reward to the victor was a Tansy cake. Such cakes were made from the young, tender leaves of the plant, mixed with eggs.  Many thought they purified the body after Lent and eating salt fish. Gradually this custom became symbolic, and Tansies and the cakes eaten on Easter Day to remember the bitter herbs eaten by the Jews at the Passover. Some used the leaves as a flavoring for puddings and omelets and Tansy teas and puddings were very common at Easter time.