Matricaria is a genus of flowering plants in the Anthemideae within the sunflower family.[ Linnaeus, Carl von. 1753. Species Plantarum 2: 890–891 in Latin.][ Tropicos, Matricaria L.] Some of the species have the common name of "mayweed", but this name also refers to plants not in this genus.
Description
Their many-branched
Plant stem are prostrate to erect, glabrous, and very leafy. Their
bipinnate Leaf have numerous linear, narrowly lobed leaflets.
[ Flora of North America, Vol. 19, 20 and 21 Page 540 Mayweed, chamomile, matricary, matricaire, chamomille Matricaria Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 890. 1753; Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 380. 1754.]
The are radially symmetrical. The greenish-yellow capitula are semi-spherical. The white ray florets can be present ( M. recutita) or lacking ( M. discoidea). The disc florets are 4- to 5-dentate. The receptacle is 2–3 times as high as wide. The pappus may be crown-shaped and short, or lacking.
Taxonomy
The taxonomy of
Matricaria is controversial and very confused. Several species are classified either in
Tripleurospermum or
Matricaria depending on the interpretation of the author. The distinction is made according to the number of the seed ribs:
Tripleurospermum has one adaxial and two lateral seed ribs, while
Matricaria has four or five adaxial seed ribs.
[ A reassessment of the nomenclature of Matricaria L. and Tripleurospermum Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae) - Applequist W. L.; Taxon, 1 November 2002, vol. 51, no. 4, pp. 757–761(5).]
Distribution and habitat
Most are very common in the temperate regions of Eurasia and North America, as well as in northern and southern
Africa, with some also being naturalised in
Australia.
Matricaria occidentalis is native to North America; other species have been introduced there.
[ Flora of China Vol. 20-21 Page 771 母菊属 mu ju shu Matricaria Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 890. 1753.][ Altervista Flora Italiana, genere Matricaria includes photos and distribution maps.]
These are hardy, pleasantly Aroma compound annual plant, growing along roadsides in ruderal communities and in fallow land rich in nutrients. Though many are considered nuisance , they are suitable for rock gardens and herb gardens, and as border plants.
Ecology
Matricaria species are used as food plants by the
of some
Lepidoptera species (
) including
lime-speck pug.
Uses
The
extract of
Matricaria chamomilla (or recutita) (
German chamomile) is taken as a strong tea. It has been used in
herbal medicine as a
carminative and anti-inflammatory. It is also used in ointments and lotions, and as a mouthwash against infections of mouth and gums.
Aromatherapy uses two
essential oils of chamomile: the "true chamomile" oil (or German chamomile oil, from
M. recutita) and the Roman chamomile oil (from
Chamaemelum nobile).
See also
External links
