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Pineapple Weed, Wild Chamomile, Rayless Chamomile, Disc Mayweed - Matricaria discoidea


Family: Asteraceae - Aster family Genus Common Name: Mayweed Native Status: IntroducedDicot Annual Herb
Matricaria discoidea - Pineapple Weed, Wild Chamomile, Rayless Chamomile, Disc Mayweed. Don't be fooled by the USDA Plants Database map to the right which shows Matricaria discoidea as an introduced plant throughout its range the United States and Canada. That's because the USDA uses a single classification for the lower 48 states, and in true democratic fashion, the majority has won. This plant is native to the northwestern states (as well as parts of Asia) but after the opening of the west (and discovery of the species) by the Lewis and Clark expedition, has spread outward from those states, and is now found in almost every state in the United States as well as much of Canada.

The plant gets its Pineapple Weed common name comes from the strong scent when crushed, reminiscent of Pineapple. It is reported to be an acceptable plant for making chamomile tea, although another species in the genus, Matricaria chamomilla, is the most commonly used plant for chamomile tea.

Found in:
AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Matricaria discoidea

Distribution of Matricaria discoidea in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Hell's Canyon Park, Adams County, ID Date: 2012-May-28Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Matricaria discoidea grows up to 18 or 20 inches tall, although it is more frequently a foot tall or shorter. The blossom has disk flowers only (as implied by the species epithet) and they are a somewhat dull yellow. As shown by this photo, it is a plant of roadsides and waste areas.
Matricaria discoidea
Site: Hell's Canyon Park, Adams County, ID Date: 2012-May-28Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
The leaves of Pineapple Weed are alternate, pinnately lobed, and quite linear.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Matricaria discoidea
References used for identification and information:
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Matricaria discoidea initially published on USWildflowers.com 2013-03-27; Updated 2017-03-02

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302