Chamomilla suaveolens (Pursh) Rydb.   =Matricaria matricioides                             =M. suaveolens   Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)   Native   Pineapple Weed

                                        April Photo

Plant Characteristics: Branched, erect, aromatic annual 1-3 dm. high; lvs. 1-5 cm. long, 1-3-pinnatifid into linear or filiform segms.; heads several to many, rayless, the disk mostly 4-10 mm. wide; disk corollas yellow, 4-6 toothed; phyllaries with broad hyaline margin, the invol. 5-7 mm. high, much shorter than the conical disk; aks. with 2 marginal and 1 rather weak ventral nerves; pappus a short crown, minute, entire.

Habitat:  Common weed in waste places through most of Calif.; to Alaska, Rocky Mts., L. Calif., Santa Catalina and Santa Rosa Ids.  Apparently introduced into eastern states.  May-Aug.

Name:  Latin, matrix, because used medicinally.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 210).  Matricarioides, like Matricaria.  (Jaeger 151,172).  Matricaria derives from its having once been found useful in treating infections of the uterus. (mater, mother, and caries, decay).  (Crockett 125).  Matricaria, is a genus that has foliage typical of this species.  (John Johnson).     Derivation of the genus name Chamomilla is not known.  (Hickman, Ed. 226).  Latin, suaveolens, sweet smelling.  (Jaeger 251).

General:  Occasional in the study area.  Photographed at 23rd Street and at the northerly end of Eastbluff.  (my comments).      The leaves and flowers were used as medicine by the Indians.  ( Heizer and Elsasser 247).      Crush a bit of leaf material of pineapple weed and you will quickly learn why this epithet has been applied to this plant.  (Crockett 125).      The Cahuilla, Indians of the Colorado Desert, the San Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountains, used an infusion of this plant to settle upset stomach or cure diarrhea and colic.  (Bean 88).      As a sedative it mixes well with California Poppy, Passion Flower, Wild Oats and Prickly Poppy.  As an intestinal or uterine antispasmodic, mix with Desert Lavender, Chimja, or True Sage.  (Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West 88).       About 35 species of the Northern Hemisphere and South Africa.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 210).      Matricaria, about 35 species, annuals, biennials and perennials-some aromatic, with flowers to 1 in. across, some grown in gardens.  (Bailey, Hortus III no page ref.).

Text Ref:  Abrams, Vol. IV 400; Hickman, Ed. 228; Munz, Calif. Flora 1233; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 210.

Photo Ref:  April 4 83 # 5,6; Mar 2 85 # 18A.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by F. Roberts.  

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 187.

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 9/22/02.

                                         March Photo