Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Chamomile:
Previously known as:
- Chamomilla recutita
- Matricaria recutita
- Phonetic Spelling
- mah-trih-KAIR-ree-ah kam-oh-MIL-luh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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A non-native annual herb in the Asteraceae (daisy) family native to Europe, India, and China. Showy, aromatic white flowers with yellow centers dot the plant for a long bloom season in the summer. It can be used for tea, potpourris, garnishes, and crafts. The tea has long been thought to provide a sedating effect and it is more often used for tea than its cousin, Roman Chamomile. Can cause allergic skin reactions or oral swelling to those with ragweed allergies.
Use it in an herb garden, in the crevices of a rock garden, or planted along a border front or walkway. Tuck it in the spall spaces of a cottage garden or near a patio or seating area where the fragrance can be enjoyed.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- 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:
- Matricaria
- Species:
- chamomilla
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Temp. Eurasia to Indo-China
- Edibility:
- Flowers for tea and other culinary uses.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 1 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 0 ft. 1 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herb
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Good Dried
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Daisy-like flowers bloom summer to fall. Each flower features 10-20 petal-like white rays surrounding a showy bright yellow domed center disk of tubular yellow florets.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Filiform
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Fern-like light green and feathery
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Patio
- Rock Wall
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Edible Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
