Pineapple Weed

Matricaria matricarioides

Physical Characteristics

Matricaria matricarioides is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

N.E. Asia. An introduced and increasing weed in Britain.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Edible Uses: Tea Flower heads - raw or cooked[172]. A tasty nibble[172]. The dried flowers are used to make herb teas[172]. They are pineapple scented when steeped in hot water[183].

Medicinal Uses

Antispasmodic Carminative Galactogogue Sedative Skin Vermifuge The flowering plant is antispasmodic, carminative, galactogogue, sedative, skin and vermifuge[9, 172, 222]. This plant is rarely used medicinally, though it is sometimes employed as a domestic remedy in the treatment of intestinal worms and also as a sedative[9]. The plant is harvested when in flower in the summer and is dried for later use[9]. Some caution is advised since some individuals are allergic to this plant[222].

Known Hazards

Some people are allergic to this plant[222].