Anthemis cotula L.

Strongly foetid annual herb. Stems erect or ascending, (5)–30–40–(60) cm tall, striate, almost glabrous to moderately hairy especially above, usually much-branched from base, rooting in lower part. Basal and lower cauline lvs apetiolate, ovate to obovate-oblong, glabrous to sparsely hairy and glandular, 3-pinnatisect, up to 8 cm long; ultimate segments subulate to linear, entire, not all in one plane giving a somewhat feathery appearance to the lf; cauline lvs similar to basal, smaller and less divided near capitula, usually ovate-oblong. Involucral bracts glabrous to moderately hairy, 2–6 mm long; margins and apex of at least inner bracts membranous. Capitula solitary, c. 15–30–(35) mm diam.; ray florets 8–21, very rarely 0; ligules white, becoming reflexed; disc florets numerous, yellow. Scales usually confined to inner ⅔ of receptacle, linear, acute. Achenes 1.3–1.7 mm long, obconic, narrowed slightly at apex, circular in section, brown, obscurely ribbed; ribs usually prominently tuberculate, rarely whole achene almost smooth; pappus 0.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: (Aug.)–Dec.–Mar.–(Jun.)