Matricaria Flower

Common Names: Mayweed, Pineapple weed, Chamomile, Apple Roman camomile
Botanical Name: Matricaria recutita, Matricaria chamomilla, Anthemis nobilis, Compositae
Cultivation: Partial shade to full sun in average soil

Colors: Wide
Bloom Time: Mid Spring
Uses: Showy, antique white dried flower accent
Regions: West India, Europe, Asia, America

Matricaria has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant, mostly for gastrointestinal complaints. It was used as a poultice for pains and swellings, hysteria and nervous diseases and for breaking up typhoid. With these versatile uses, matricaria also became popular in its dried form.

Drying of Matricaria
These flowers are picked when the plants are in full bloom. The flower heads are cut with the stem tips. They are then made into bunches and each bunch is tied with a thread and allowed to dry. Seed eating insects commonly infest the drying flowerheads. If insects are a problem then spread the flowerheads on a cookie sheet and bake them at 120 degrees F for half an hour. Gently sift them through a colander.

Uses of Matricaria
Dried matricaria are used for a showy, antique white dried flower accent. They are used in potpourri with the dried flowers face down. They are also used for teas or tisanes. Dried matricaria have a strong, peculiar odor and a bitter taste. Their constituents are readily taken up by water and alcohol for medicinal purposes. Dried matricaria is also used as a perfume as well as an insect repellent.