#disc mayweed

[saatkontor]

Pineappleweed, Wild Chamomile, Disc Mayweed / Strahlenlose Kamille (Matricaria discoidea)

[englischdeutschubersetzung]

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[liminalwings]

The fourth entry in my little plant journal is a modest little plant that I’ve grown up with all my life, Matricaria discoidea, also known as Pineappleweed or, as I knew it, Wild Chamomile. This one differs from what most people know as Chamomile, or German Chamomile, as this plant lacks the white petals on the flower and has a sweeter scent when crushed. It is pretty much *THE* scent of summer to me, when they bloom, along with blackberries.

“An annual plant native to North America and Northeast Asia, growing best where the soil has been disturbed and is rarely found far from human activity. The flowers have a pineapple/chamomile scent when crushed. Both flowers and leaves are edible, though may be bitter so long after blooming. Medicinally, it has been used for gastrointestinal upset, infected sores, fever, and post-partum anemia, and as an insect repellent.

Magical Uses: Money, peace, love, tranquility, and purification. Washing your hands with chamomile water before gambling will increase your luck. Add to sachets for luck or money, or place pressed flowers in your wallet to attract money to it. It is also associated with motherhood and the link between mother and child, and can be used to improve bonds between humans and the earth.

Element: Water / Planet: Sun

Note: Related to Ragweed.”

[eatyourdamnvitamins]

Eat the Weeds: Wild Chamomile

You know you're a plant nerd when new wild, medicinal herbs make you very, very excited.  Today I'm psyched because Wild Chamomile, aka Pineappleweed, aka Disc Mayweed (Matricaria discoidea) is popping up everywhere in California!

Why this friendly weed is so awesome:

Wild Chamomile can be used in salads, and has medicinal properties similar to more commonly-used German Chamomile. Use this plant fresh or dried as an herbal tea to treat gastrointestinal upset, menstrual cramps, as a mild antiseptic, and as an anti-spasmodic.  Native Americans of the West coast used this plant to treat diarrhea, fevers, and about a hundred other things.

As with other member of the Chamomile family, use this herb with caution or avoid entirely if you are allergic to ragweed.

How do I identify it?

This plant looks very similar to cultivated chamomile varieties, with pinnately dissected leaves and cone-shaped, densely compacted yellow-green flower heads, though it lacks the white petals seen on the cultivated German and Roman Chamomile varieties.  It can grow anywhere from 2" to 16" high, but is most likely to be found growing low to the ground.  

Native to far Eastern Asia, Wild Chamomile can be found nearly everywhere in Canada and the continental US, from Alaska to Baja to Newfoundland.   Look for this friendly weed on paths, dirt roadways, and other places with disturbed, compacted soil.

Unsure? The flowers and leaves also smell like pineapple when crushed, lending its common name. Pineapple-chamomile flavored tea for menstrual cramps? I think yes.

As always, if you aren't totally sure what a wild plant is, don't freaking eat it.  But don't let that stop you from taking the opportunity to learn how to better identify plants - learning how to effectively, safely, and ethically forage for food and medicine is an awesome way to be self sufficient and cultivate an appreciation for the biosphere around us, both awesome things.  Besides, what's better than free food and medicine? (Hint: Nothing)