Anthemis cotulaL. Stinking Chamomile

Anthemis cotulaL. - Stinking Chamomile

Scientific Description:

Erect or ascending, glabrous or sparsely pubescent annual. Stem usually much branched, 10−60 cm. Leaves 2−5 cm, obovate in outline, 2−3-pinnatisect into linear-oblanceolate lobes, 1.5−3 × 0.3−0.5 mm, acute. Capitula radiate or rarely discoid; peduncles slender, becoming slightly thickened. Involucre (0.4−)0.7−1 cm broad; phyllaries whitish pubescent, ovate-oblong, obtuse or subacute, margins scarious. Receptacle elongate-conical; paleae linear-subulate, only becoming slightly thickened on upper part of receptacle. Ray flowers usually 12, sometimes few, 2−3 or absent, sterile; ligules 5−7.5 mm. Disc corollas 2.5−3.5 mm, somewhat inflated at base. Achenes turbinate, 1.5 mm, obscurely ribbed, usually tuberculate, brown, ± readily deciduous at maturity; apex domed, ecoronate.

 

Flowering time: June−July.

Habitat: Pastures, roadsides, waste ground, often on sandy soil, s.l.−1300 m.

 

Reference:
Grierson AJC & Yavin Z (1975). Anthemis cotula L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 5: 208−209.

Public Description:

Anthemis cotula, commonly known as “stinking chamomile”, is native to Western Asia, Northern Africa, and Europe. The name “cotula” is from a Greek word for “small cup”, describing the shape of the flowers. It has white ray florets and yellow disc flowers. It is an annual plant with a noticeable and strong odor. It is used in medicines and insecticides due to its sharp smell. It can be found growing on waste ground, alongside roads, and in fields. It is regarded as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

 

References:

Anonymous 1 (2017). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthemis_cotula, Accessed date: 23.12.2017.

Anonymous 2 (2017). https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/anthemis/cotula/, Accessed date: 23.12.2017.

Özbek M U (2012). Anthemis L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 114–117.