 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
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
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