This plant can be confused with Tripleurospermum inodorum (Scentless Mayweed) which usually has larger flowers with a very similar the same shape and colour. There is a difference in the smell and this is usually noticeable on a warm day and when there are good patches of M. chamomilla to produce a distinctly sweet scent. Another test is to take on of the flower heads and cut it in half. M. chamomilla is hollow and T. inodorum isn't.

M. chamomilla is common in England and Wales but records quickly become fewer as you cross the border into Scotland. There is very little in the Highlands and the far north. It is surprisingly uncommon in Ireland with most records in the east.

Matricaria chamomilla is a new name published in 2010 in New Flora of the British Isles Edition 3 by Clive Stace. The old name was Matricaria recutita.

Matricaria chamomilla Scented Mayweed Frodsham marsh, Cheshire 6th June 2005 Previous   Next

Matricaria chamomilla Scented Mayweed

Frodsham marsh, Cheshire 6th June 2005

Added on November 8th 2005, updated 19th December 2010