Garden Chamomile Chamaemelum nobile
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Anthemis nobilis
- Phonetic Spelling
- kam-ay-MEL-um NO-bee-lay
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Roman chamomile is a low growing herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It is native to Europe and western Asia. Its roots are creeping and sturdy which allows it to spread and keep a firm foundation.
This plant needs 2-4 inches of space when planting to allow it to grow to its greatest potential. It blooms in the summer on those lazy, summer days and can even bloom into the fall.
Consider using this problem free plant as a groundcover in a children's grade, cottage garden or near a rock wall as it has a meandering habit. The delicate-looking flowers make for a wonderful edging for any border in your garden or planted along a patio or walkway so the calming fragrance can be enjoyed.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It may cause contact dermatitis in some people.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chamaemelum
- Species:
- nobile
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Use dried flowers for soothing tea, potpourris, or herb pillows. Chamomile has been used as a folk medicine remedy for many ailments.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, India and Western Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts bees, other insects and other pollinators. The foliage is aromatic when crushed.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Use dried flowers for tea. Drink no more than one cup of tea per day as it contains thuaone. Do not use if pregnant.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- This plant has white daisy-looking flowers with a wonderful aroma/ herbal. It blooms in the summer on those lazy, summer days and can even bloom into the fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Filiform
- Linear
- Pinnatisect
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Evergreen, fragrant, finely divided leaves. They are sometimes covered in thin, downy hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Recreational Play Area
- Rock Wall
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Foot Traffic
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, allergic reactions. Long term use can lead to bleeding tendencies.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Volatile oil; bisabolol, chamazulene, anthemic acid, tannic acid
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
