Altai Onion vs Common Tansy

Allium altaicum compared with Tanacetum vulgare

Key Differences

  • Altai Onion is Near Threatened while Common Tansy is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Altai Onion Common Tansy
Kingdom same Plantae (Plants) Plantae (Plants)
Phylum same Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants) Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class Liliopsida (Monocots) Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order Asparagales (Asparagales) Asterales (Daisies & Sunflowers)
Family Amaryllidaceae Asteraceae (Daisy Family)
Genus Allium Tanacetum
Species Allium altaicum Tanacetum vulgare

Evolutionary Relationship

Altai Onion and Common Tansy share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Magnoliophyta. (Flowering Plants)

Conservation Status

Altai Onion

NT — Near Threatened

Common Tansy

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Altai Onion Common Tansy
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Altai Onion

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, wetlands, forests, and cultivated landscapes.

Common Tansy

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (China, Japan), Europe (13 countries), North America (Canada, United States), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia), and South America (4 countries).

Altai Onion

The Altai Onion (Allium altaicum) is a species in the genus Allium. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in grasslands, wetlands, forests, and cultivated landscapes.

Common Tansy

<em>Tanacetum vulgare</em>, common tansy, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae, native to temperate regions of Asia and Europe and widely naturalized across North America, Australia, and South America. It typically grows in disturbed habitats, roadsides, riverbanks, and waste ground, forming dense colonies through vigorous rhizome spread. The plant bears deeply divided, fernlike leaves and clusters of bright yellow, button-like flower heads in late summer. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List given its expansive, growing range. Common tansy contains toxic compounds including thujone and camphor, making it poisonous to livestock and humans in large quantities, though historically it was used as a culinary herb and medicinal plant. Its strong aromatic scent has traditionally been used as an insect repellent. The species is considered invasive in several regions outside its native range. It provides nectar and pollen for various insects. Biological traits such as precise seed output figures, individual lifespan, and biomass data remain poorly documented in standardized assessments.

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