Pineapple Weed (Disc Mayweed, Wild Chamomile)

• Common Name: Pineapple Weed (Disc Mayweed, Wild Chamomile)
• Latin Name: Matricaria discoidea
• Family Name: Asteraceae/Compositae

Although other plants from the Matricaria genus grow taller, the Pineapple Weed typically only reaches around five inches in the UK.  The plant is characterised by finely divided, feathery leaves and numerous green or greenish-yellow ball or conical-shaped flower heads that have no petals, and if the leaves are crushed there is a strong smell of pineapple.

Although the plant has no known hazards, it is said to contain traces of a type of coumarin called herniarin and we therefore feel it is best fed in moderation, and that only young leaves are offered because the level of coumarin in leaves increases as plants become older.

Do not confuse with other plants with a similar common name (for example Chamomile, Scentless Mayweed and Stinking Mayweed).