Scentless Chamomile

Matricaria perforata

Family: Asteraceae

Description and Life Cycle:

Scentless chamomile is an annual or short-lived perennial that reproduces from seed. Plants grow 15 to 100 cm tall, rising from a fibrous taproot. Stem leaves are arranged alternately and are finely divided, giving the plant an overall fern-like appearance. White, daisy-like flowers, 18 – 30 mm in diameter, develop singly at the end of long branches. The floral period starts in mid June and lasts into September. Seeds are 2 mm long, dark brown, with three ribs on one side and two merging dark lines on the other; pappus is minute or absent. These plants are prolific seed producers, each capable of producing 10,000 to 200,000 seeds.

Often confused with ox-eye daisy and stinking mayweed.

British Columbia Biological Control Agents

• Microplontus edentulus – Beetle (weevil)
• Omphalapion hookeri – Beetle (weevil)
• Rhopalomyia tripleurospermi – Midge (gall forming)

References

Cranston, R., D. Ralph and B. Wikeem. 2005. Field guide to noxious and other selected weeds of British Columbia. Gov. of BC. 94 p.

Frankton, C. and G. A. Mulligan. 1987. Weeds of Canada.

MFR staff observations and comments