Tanacetum balsamita or Costmary is a hardy, perennial herb with oval, serrated foliage and small, white flowers with prominent yellow disc florete centres, which are held aloft on branched stalks.
This is an ancient herb that has been part of the apothecaries armory for mellienia. Its main use was as a treatment for menstrual problems, stomach aches and as a laxative.
It was a popular plant in Elizabethan knot gardens, its bright green foliage setting off the dainty flowers to perfection.
Today it is less common but still popular amongst herbalists and kitchen gardeners as a salad green or potherb to add flavour or to be used as a healthy infusion.
Essentially it can be used as an alternative to mint or sage and goes particularly well with egg and sea-food dishes.