Matricaria recutita
Camomile
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Matricaria recutita.
Plant photos
2 photos · Select to enlarge
White-flowered Matricaria chamomilla growing with red poppies beside a barley field.
JackyM59 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
White and yellow Matricaria chamomilla flower heads; catalogued as Matricaria recutita.
(c) KAnatoliy / iNaturalist / CC BY 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: iNaturalist photo 273240457
View the observation and community identifications on iNaturalist.
Reviewed . The photographed view, exact taxon scope, current community identifications, per-photo license and source attribution were reviewed. The observation has at least two current agreeing community identifiers and no conflicting current species identification. The image illustrates plant appearance; it does not establish botanical measurements.
Common names
6 names · 5 languages- EnglishYour language
-
- Camomile
- Scented Mayweed[1]
Other languages (4)
Sources & name notes (1)
Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.
Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.
Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.
Source records
- Echte Kamille (DE); Scented Mayweed (EN); Manzanita comun (ES) — VernacularName.tsv, line 143587; taxon 72V3R.
General information
Kew's family placement for the genus Matricaria (WCVP v16).
Sources [1]Plant characteristics
Growing conditions
Moist, Well-drained
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Full sun
Uses
Condiment, Tea
Dye, Essential oil, Repellent, Fragrant
Description
The young branches of this plant are used to flavor dishes, while the dried flowers are used to make herbal tea. The flowers have an aromatic scent but have a very bitter taste.
Harvest
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
-
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
Relevant sections
- Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Matricaria recutita L., name ID 2906537, row 830180; Matricaria chamomilla L., name ID 2906535, row 1423985
- Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 556618; name ID 3133865; Matricaria L.. Family column.
Source checked on .
Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.
-
Catalogue of Life
Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Matricaria recutita
Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.
Supports: TaxonomyRelevant sections
- Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2511111, ID 72V38: Matricaria recutita L. (synonym). Accepted target: Matricaria chamomilla L., ID 72V3R, line 2511126.
Source checked on .