Matricaria discoidea

Matricaria discoidea
Pineappleweed
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Anthemideae
Genus:	Matricaria
Species:	M. discoidea
Binomial name
Matricaria discoidea DC.
Synonyms
Artemisia matricarioides auct. Chamomilla suaveolens (Pursh) Rydb. Lepidanthus suaveolens (Pursh) Nutt. Lepidotheca suaveolens (Pursh) Nutt. Matricaria matricarioides auct. Matricaria suaveolens (Pursh) Buchenau Santolina suaveolens Pursh Tanacetum suaveolens (Pursh) Hook. Source: NRCS,[1] GRIN[2]

Matricaria discoidea, commonly known as pineappleweed, wild chamomile, and disc mayweed is an annual plant native to North America and Northeast Asia but which has become a cosmopolitan weed. 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. Pineapple weed has been used for medicinal purposes, including for relief of gastrointestinal upset, infected sores, fevers, and postpartum anemia.

Description

The pinnately dissected leaves are sweet-scented when crushed (Fir Island, Washington).

The flower head is cone-shaped, composed of dense-packed yellowish-green corollas, and lacking ray-florets. The leaves are pinnately dissected and sweet-scented when crushed. The plant grows 2 to 16 inches (5.1 to 41 cm) high. Flowerheads are produced from May to September.

Distribution

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.

Uses

Pineapple weed flowers used to be gathered for food by children, although most find it too bitter to consume raw. The plant, when bruised and rubbed on skin, provides an effective, yet temporary insect repellent.

The young flower heads can be used to make tea by steeping a handful of the flowers in hot water for ten minutes and then straining.

Native

Palearctic

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

Eastern Asia: Hokkaido

Nearctic

Subarctic America: Yukon Territory, Alaska

Western Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba

Northwestern United States: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming

Southwestern United States: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado

Mexico Northwest: Baja California

References

1. ^ "Matricaria discoidea". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MADI6. Retrieved 2008-06-14. 
2. ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) (2005-09-07). "Taxon: Matricaria discoidea DC.". Taxonomy for Plants. USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program, National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/. Retrieved 2008-06-14. 

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'
• Den virtuella floran: Matricaria discoidea distribution
• Matricaria discoidea — U.C. CalPhotos Gallery