German chamomile
Matricaria recutita

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows to 60 cm high and spreads to 30 cm wide. The stem is smooth and erect. The leaves are light green. The leaves do not have a leaf stalk. The leaves are divided 2 or 3 times and have narrow thin segments. The tips have bristles. The flowers are white and daisy like surrounded by a yellow disk. The flowers are 2 cm across. The flowers occur singly and are on long stalks. Now Matricaria chamomilla.

Used in medicine. It contains large amounts of Vit A & Vit C

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in most soil types in an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost. It suits hardiness zones 4-10. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Afghanistan, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Africa, North America, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Slovakia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uruguay, West Indies, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The leaves and flowers are used for tea. The young flowers are dried and made into a tea drink. An essential oil is extracted and used to flavour ice cream and candy.

Cultivated as an ornamental. It is foraged and supplied to restaurants.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, flowers - tea, flavouring

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

The flowers are picked just as they begin to form.

Its other names

Local names

Babuna, Camamia, Camomila, Kamilica, Kamilla, Kamomila, Libavirag, Manzanilla, Papatya, Pineapple weed, Scented mayweed, Suteigul, Wild chamomile

Synonyms

Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert; Matricaria chamomilla auct. Matricaria chamomilla Linnaeus.