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Pineapple Weed
Disc Mayweed

Matricaria discoidea
(Chamomilla sueveolens
Matricaria matricarioides)

 
Matricaria discoidea photo © by Michael Plagens

Photographed at Mesquite Wash, Maricopa Co., Arizona. April 2008.

ANNUAL: Medium-sized annual of spring time in the Sonoran Desert. Few plants exceed ½ meter in height with many stems branching from near base.

FLOWERS: Numerous small yellow disc flowers arranged conically and without rays. The effect is that the flower heads look like yellow buttons. Opening March to May.

LEAVES: Smooth leaves are pinnately divided into narrow segments. On crushing they sometimes emit pineapple or chamomile aroma. Some plants have little or no such aroma.

RANGE: Requires a good supply of moisture and so is typically found in riparian habitats or near recently flooded wash channels. More likely in upland Sonoran Desert.

FRUIT: Small seeds topped with papery scales.

UNARMED. Lacks spines/thorns.

Asteraceae -- Sunflower Family

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Copyright Michael J. Plagens, 1999-2010