German Chamomile

Description:

Branched stem which is erect and smooth, and which grows to a height of 15–60 cm. The long and narrow leaves are bipinnate or tripinnate. The flowers are borne in paniculate capitula. The white ray florets are furnished with a ligule, while the disc florets are yellow. The hollow receptacle is swollen and lacks scales. Common names include wild chamomile, Hungarian chamomile, pineapple weed (referring to the shape of the inflorescences), and scented mayweed (and is distinct from the scentless mayweed Matricaria perforata). Chamomile blue refers to chamazulene, the purified deep blue essential oil derived using steam distillation rather than the plant itself. Hungarian chamomile has a reputation (among herbalists) for being incorrectly prepared because it is dried at a temperature above the boiling point of the volatile components of the plant. The word chamomile comes from the Greek χαμαίμηλον (chamaimēlon) meaning "earth-apple".

Habitat:

Native to entire Europe and temperate Asia