Matricaria chamomilla L.
Annual Chamomile
Scented mayweed, also widely known as German chamomile, is a sweetly aromatic annual growing on erect, branched stems to about 60cm, clothed in finely divided, feathery foliage. Its daisy flowers have white ray florets that droop back as the head matures around a domed, hollow, golden-yellow central cone, a useful clue separating it from the unscented mayweeds.
About
Scented mayweed, also widely known as German chamomile, is a sweetly aromatic annual growing on erect, branched stems to about 60cm, clothed in finely divided, feathery foliage. Its daisy flowers have white ray florets that droop back as the head matures around a domed, hollow, golden-yellow central cone, a useful clue separating it from the unscented mayweeds. Crushed foliage and flowers release the characteristic apple-and-hay chamomile fragrance, and the dried flowers are the source of the familiar herbal tea.
In Britain it is an archaeophyte, a very long-established introduction rather than a true native, historically a common weed of arable land on sandy and loamy soils. It still favours cultivated fields, field edges, gateways, tracks, disused railways and other open, disturbed ground, though it declined through the twentieth century with herbicide use. Flowering in early to midsummer, its open flowers are readily worked by bees and hoverflies, and it makes a fragrant, fast annual for cornfield-style mixes and pollinator patches.
Also known as
Blue Chamomile · Chamomile · Common Chamomile · Crown Mayweed · Scented Mayweed
Synonyms
Anthemis vulgaris · Camomilla patens · Chamaemelum chamomilla · Chamaemelum suaveolens · Chamaemelum vulgare · Chamomilla chamomilla · Chamomilla chamomilla courrantiana · Chamomilla chamomilla kochiana · Chamomilla chamomilla pusilla · Chamomilla chamomilla suaveolens
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.