SAMARA:
Pineapple Weed - Matricaria discoidea.
Pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea) was introduced to Britain from Oregon in the late 19th century and spread rapidly. It is now an abundant annual wildflower of waysides and waste places, its cone-shaped flower heads a familiar sight from June to September.
When crushed, the flowers give off an odour resembling ripe apples or pineapples, and it is thought that either this, or the fact that the flowers resemble a pineapple in appearance, is responsible for the plant’s common name.The flowers have an agreeable fruity taste before they are fully ripe, and have been added to salads, as well as being used, either fresh or dried, as an infusion.
A close relative of camomile, pineapple weed has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The name matricaria is derived from the Latin matrix (uterus), and camomiles have been used for a host of gynaecological disorders. Other uses for pineapple weed have been as a sedative, an anti-inflammatory, an antispasmodic and an anthelmintic.
Pineapple Weed - Matricaria discoidea.
Pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea) was introduced to Britain from Oregon in the late 19th century and spread rapidly. It is now an abundant annual wildflower of waysides and waste places, its cone-shaped flower heads a familiar sight from June to September.
When crushed, the flowers give off an odour resembling ripe apples or pineapples, and it is thought that either this, or the fact that the flowers resemble a pineapple in appearance, is responsible for the plant’s common name.The flowers have an agreeable fruity taste before they are fully ripe, and have been added to salads, as well as being used, either fresh or dried, as an infusion.
A close relative of camomile, pineapple weed has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The name matricaria is derived from the Latin matrix (uterus), and camomiles have been used for a host of gynaecological disorders. Other uses for pineapple weed have been as a sedative, an anti-inflammatory, an antispasmodic and an anthelmintic.