German Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla
Other Common Name(s):
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
-
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.
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: Can cause allergic skin reactions or oral swelling to those with ragweed allergies.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts", a plant identification course offered 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
