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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Pineapple Weed
| image = Matricaria discoidea.JPG
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asterales]]
| familia = [[Asteraceae]]
| genus = ''[[Matricaria]]''
| species = '''''M. discoidea'''''
| binomial = ''Matricaria discoidea''
| binomial_authority = [[A. P. de Candolle|DC.]]
}}
'''''Matricaria discoidea''''', commonly known as '''pineapple weed''' is an [[annual plant]] native to [[North America]] and NE [[Asia]] but which has become a [[cosmopolitan distribution|cosmopolitan]] [[weed]]. It is in the family [[Asteraceae]]. The [[inflorescence|flower head]] is cone-shaped, composed of dense-packed yellowish-green corollas, and lacking ray-florets. The [[Leaf|leaves]] are pinnately dissected and sweet-scented when crushed. The plant grows 3 to 12 inches (7.5 - 30 cm) high.
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]]).
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]].
The [[flower]]s exude a chamomile/pineapple aroma when crushed. 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 [http://www.nps.gov/klgo/flora/pineappleweed.htm][http://www.arthurleej.com/a-pineapple.html].
Pineapple weed has been used for medicinal purposes, including for relief of gastrointestinal upset, infected sores, fevers, and [[Postpartum period|postpartum]] anemia [http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Matricaria+discoidea].
Pineapple weed is closely related to [[ragweed]], and can cause similar [[allergy|allergic]] reactions in susceptible individuals.
==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.
* [http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/pineapple_weed.html University of California], Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program
* [http://linnaeus.nrm.se/flora/di/astera/matri/matrmatv.jpg Den virtuella floran: ''Matricaria discoidea'' distribution]
[[Category:Asteraceae]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Pineapple Weed
| image = Matricaria discoidea.JPG
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asterales]]
| familia = [[Asteraceae]]
| genus = ''[[Matricaria]]''
| species = '''''M. discoidea'''''
| binomial = ''Matricaria discoidea''
| binomial_authority = [[A. P. de Candolle|DC.]]
}}
'''''Matricaria discoidea''''', commonly known as '''pineapple weed''' is an [[annual plant]] native to [[North America]] and NE [[Asia]] but which has become a [[cosmopolitan distribution|cosmopolitan]] [[weed]]. It is in the family [[Asteraceae]]. The [[inflorescence|flower head]] is cone-shaped, composed of dense-packed yellowish-green corollas, and lacking ray-florets. The [[Leaf|leaves]] are pinnately dissected and sweet-scented when crushed. The plant grows 3 to 12 inches (7.5 - 30 cm) high.
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]]).
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]].
The [[flower]]s exude a chamomile/pineapple aroma when crushed. 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 [http://www.nps.gov/klgo/flora/pineappleweed.htm][http://www.arthurleej.com/a-pineapple.html].
Pineapple weed has been used for medicinal purposes, including for relief of gastrointestinal upset, infected sores, fevers, and [[Postpartum period|postpartum]] anemia [http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Matricaria+discoidea].
Pineapple weed is closely related to [[ragweed]], and can cause similar [[allergy|allergic]] reactions in susceptible individuals.
==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.
* [http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/pineapple_weed.html University of California], Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program
* [http://linnaeus.nrm.se/flora/di/astera/matri/matrmatv.jpg Den virtuella floran: ''Matricaria discoidea'' distribution]
[[Category:Asteraceae]]
