Pineapple Weed
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Matricaria Species: M. discoidea
Binomial name
Matricaria discoidea DC.

The pineapple weed is an annual plant native to North America and NE Asia but which has become a cosmopolitan weed. It is in the family Asteraceae. The flower head is cone-shaped, composed of dense-packed yellowish-green corollas, and lacking ray-florets. The leaves are pinnately dissected and sweet-scented when crushed. The plant grows 3 to 12 inches (7.5 - 30 cm) high. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (546x1087, 254 KB)Matricaria discoidea (Disc Mayweed), flowering plants Photographed by Eike Wulfmeyer, 2004-MAY-25, at a roadside in Cologne, Germany File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... Divisions Green algae Chlorophyta Charophyta Land plants (embryophytes) Non-vascular plants (bryophytes) Marchantiophyta - liverworts Anthocerotophyta - hornworts Bryophyta - mosses Vascular plants (tracheophytes) †Rhyniophyta - rhyniophytes †Zosterophyllophyta - zosterophylls Lycopodiophyta - clubmosses †Trimerophytophyta - trimerophytes Pteridophyta - ferns and horsetails Seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta - seed ferns Pinophyta - conifers Cycadophyta - cycads Ginkgophyta - ginkgo Gnetophyta - gnetae Magnoliophyta - flowering plants... It has been suggested that Angiospermae, and Anthophyta be merged into this article or section. ... Orders See text. ... Families Alseuosmiaceae Argophyllaceae Asteraceae - Daisies Calyceraceae Campanulaceae (incl. ... Diversity About 1500 genera and 23,000 species Type Genus Aster L. Subfamilies Barnadesioideae Cichorioideae Tribe Arctotidae Tribe Cardueae Tribe Eremothamneae Tribe Lactuceae Tribe Liabeae Tribe Mutisieae Tribe Tarchonantheae Tribe Vernonieae Asteroideae Tribe Anthemideae Tribe Astereae Tribe Calenduleae Tribe Eupatorieae Tribe Gnaphalieae Tribe Helenieae Tribe Heliantheae Tribe Inuleae Tribe Plucheae... Species See text Matricaria is a genus of flowering plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ... A. P. de Candolle A. P. de Candolle (February 4, 1778 - September 9, 1841) was one of the great botanists of all time. ... Peas are an annual plant. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... World map showing the location of Asia. ... A cosmopolitan distribution is a term applied to a biological category of living things meaning that this category can be found anywhere around the world. ... A common weed flower A weed is a plant that is considered to be a nuisance in a garden or other agricultural development. ... Diversity About 1500 genera and 23,000 species Type Genus Aster L. Subfamilies Barnadesioideae Cichorioideae Tribe Arctotidae Tribe Cardueae Tribe Eremothamneae Tribe Lactuceae Tribe Liabeae Tribe Mutisieae Tribe Tarchonantheae Tribe Vernonieae Asteroideae Tribe Anthemideae Tribe Astereae Tribe Calenduleae Tribe Eupatorieae Tribe Gnaphalieae Tribe Helenieae Tribe Heliantheae Tribe Inuleae Tribe Plucheae... An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers on a branch of a plant. ... The leaves of a Beech tree A leaf with laminar structure and pinnate venation In botany, a leaf is an above-ground plant organ specialized for photosynthesis. ...

According to ITIS the specific name is Matricaria discoidea DC, but many synonyms are in the literature, including M. matricarioides, M. suaveolens, and Chamomilla suaveolens (an accepted name according to Flora Europaea). Please note that the ITIS system URL has changed (25 September 2006). ... The Flora Europaea is an extensive searchable plant database of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. ...

The plant grows well in disturbed areas, especially those with poor, compacted soil. It can be seen blooming on footpaths, roadsides, and similar places in spring and early summer. In the USA, it can be found from central Alaska down to California and all the way to Maine. Loess field in Germany Soil horizons are formed by combined biological, chemical and physical alterations. ... Official language(s) English Capital Juneau Largest city Anchorage Area  Ranked 1st  - Total 663,267 sq mi (1,717,855 km²)  - Width 808 miles (1,300 km)  - Length 1,479 miles (2,380 km)  - % water 13. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Official language(s) None (English de facto) Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Area  Ranked 39th  - Total 33,414 sq mi (86,542 km²)  - Width 210 miles (338 km)  - Length 320 miles (515 km)  - % water 13. ...

The flowers have a chamomile/pineapple aroma (press between your fingers to release this scent). They are edible and have been used in salads (although they may become bitter by the time the plant blooms) and to make a herbal tea [1][2]. A Phalaenopsis flower A flower, (<Old French flo(u)r<Latin florem<flos), also known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also called angiosperms). ...

Pineapple weed has many useful medicinal properties. In a tea, it acts to calm the nerves and stomach, as well as expel gas from the digestive tract. The plant when crushed and applied externally acts to hinder itching and soothe sores. ^{[citation needed]}

Pineapple weed is closely related to ragweed, and can cause similar allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. Species See text. ... This article deals specifically with IgE-mediated hypersensitivity. ...

References and external links

• Robbins, W. W., Margaret K. Bellue, and Walter S. Ball. 1970. Weeds of California. Documents and Publications, Sacramento. 547 p.
• Gregory L. Tilford. 1997. Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West. Mountain Press Publishing Company, Missoula. 110 p.
• University of California, Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program