corn chamomile
Family
AsteraceaeScientific Name
Anthemis arvensisOther Common Names:
mayweed
field chamomile
scentless chamomile
Habit
annual herb
Leaves
The leaves are alternate and highly dissected (bipinnatifid). The younger leaves are covered in wooly hairs. The petioles (leaf stalks) are flattened and often have pinnate lobes along the margin.
Identifying Characteristics
The stems branch mostly from the base of the plant and are covered in fine hairs. The leaves are highly dissected and young leaves are covered in fine hairs. The plant can grow up to 20 inches tall. Each stem ends in a white ray flower with a yellow center. Corn chamomile can look similar to mayweed chamomile, but corn chamomile will most likely be much hairier than mayweed chamomile. Also, mayweed chamomile has an unpleasant smell, while corn chamomile does not have a distinct odor.
Flower Seed Head
Ray with white petals and yellow center.
Seed Fruit
Fruit is an achene that lacks any tufts of hair. The achene is grooved from top to bottom.
Where Found
Crop fields, pastures and waste areas
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
dime
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
yellow
Flower Symmetry
not symmetrical
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
needle
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
Varies:
entire,
lobed,
serrated
Leaf Structure
pinnate
Leaf Stalk
Varies:
none,
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
has hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
taproot
Life Cycle
summer annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb