Rayless chamomile, Rounded chamomile, Rayless mayweed, Pineapple weed
Matricaria matricarioides

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It is an annual plant. It is an erect leafless plant. It has a pineapple scent. The branches are stiff. It grows 40 cm high. The leaves are finely divided into feathery segments. They are divided 2 or 3 times. They are slightly bristly. It has a strong smell. The flower head consists only of a central disk. These are carried singly on a short stalk on each of the many branches. The centre of this head of flowers is hollow.

There are 5 Matricaria species. They grow in temperate places. The plant in Tasmania is probably Matricaria discoidea.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It often grows on poor soils and gravel paths. It is naturalised in many places in the world. It is resistant to frost and drought. It grows on disturbed ground. It grows in forests and along roadsides in north China. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Britain, Bhutan, Canada, Central Asia, China, Europe, Himalayas, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Russia, Scandinavia, South America, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The flower heads are used, dried or fresh, to make chamomile tea. The leaves are also similarly used for tea. The flower heads can be used as a salad ingredient of use to flavour muffins and bread. The plant tops are chewed by children for the pleasant flavour.

Edible parts

Flowers - tea, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Akylopsis suaveolens (Pursh) Lehm.; Anthemis inconspicua Fisch. ex Herder; Artemisia matricarioides Less.; Cenocline pauciflora K. Koch; Chamomilla discoidea (DC.) J. Gay ex A. Braun; Chamomilla suaveolens (Pursh) Rydb.; Chrysanthemum discodes (DC.) Chrysanthemum suaveolens (Pursh) Asch; Cotula matricarioides (Less.) Bong.; Lepidanthus suaveolens (Pursh) Nutt.; Lepidotheca suaveolens (Pursh) Nutt.; Matricaria discoidea DC.; Matricaria graveolens (Pursh) Asch.; Matricaria graveolens var. discoidea Gay; Santolina suaveolens Pursh; Tanacetum suaveolens (Pursh) Hook.;