corn chamomile

Family

Asteraceae

Scientific Name

Anthemis arvensis

Other Common Names:

field chamomile

mayweed

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