Pineappleweed

Matricaria discoidea, commonly known as pineappleweed, wild chamomile, disc mayweed, and rayless mayweed, is an annual plant native to northeast Asia where it grows as a common herb of fields, gardens, and roadsides. It is in the family Asteraceae. The flowers exude a chamomile/pineapple aroma when crushed. They are edible and have been used in salads (although they may become bitter by the time the plant blooms) and to make herbal tea.

Description

The flower head is cone-shaped, composed of densely packed yellowish-green corollas, and lacking ray-florets. The leaves are pinnately dissected and sweet-scented when crushed. The plant grows 2 to 16 in (5.1 to 40.6 cm) high. Flowerheads are produced from March to September.

Distribution and habitat

The plant grows well in disturbed areas, especially those with poor, compacted soil. It can be seen blooming on footpaths, roadsides, and similar places in spring and early summer. In North America, it can be found from central Alaska down to California and all the way to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. It has also become common and naturalized in Britain.

Native

Palearctic

Russian Far East: Amur Oblast, Kamchatka Peninsula, Khabarovsk Krai, Kuril Islands, Magadan Oblast, Primorsky Krai, Sakhalin

Eastern Asia: Hokkaido

Uses

The greens can be washed and eaten, and both the flowers and the whole plant can be steeped to make tea, described as excellent by one field guide.

Gallery

References

External links

• USDA Plants Profile for Matricaria discoidea (Disc mayweed, Pineapple weed)
• Jepson Manual treatment: for Chamomilla suaveolens —Matricaria discoidea
• University of Michigan Native American Ethnobotany — Matricaria discoidea
• Pineapple weed - Matricaria discoidea
• Robbins, W. W., Margaret K. Bellue, and Walter S. Ball. 1970. Weeds of California. Documents and Publications, Sacramento. 547 p.
• Gregory L. Tilford. 1997. Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West. Mountain Press Publishing Company, Missoula. 110 p.
• University of California-Davis, Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program — 'Pineapple weed'
• "Matricaria matricarioides". Plants for a Future.
• Matricaria discoidea in the CalPhotos photo database, University of California, Berkeley