Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Matricaria discoidea DC., Prodr. [A. P. de Candolle] 6, 50 (1838)
Synonymy:
  • Matricaria suaveolens (Pursh) Buchenau (1894) nom. illeg.
  • = Santolina suaveolens Pursh
Vernacular Name(s):
Rayless chamomile
 Description

Aromatic herb. Stems erect or ascending, 5–20–(40) cm tall, striate, glabrous or with a few hairs below capitula, usually much-branched from base. Basal and lower cauline lvs appearing shortly petiolate but usually with very reduced leaflets along sheath, narrow-obovate to elliptic, usually glabrous, sometimes sparsely hairy when young, 2–3-pinnatisect, 2–8 × 0.5–2 cm; ultimate segments narrow-linear or subulate, ± all in one plane; cauline lvs similar to basal but above becoming smaller, with fewer segments, ovate, and apetiolate. Corymb diffuse, of 1-many capitula. Involucral bracts glabrous, 3–5 mm long; margins pale, membranous. Capitula 4–10 mm diam.; ray florets 0; disc florets numerous, dull yellow to greenish yellow, 4-toothed. Achenes c. 1.5 mm long, very pale brown, narrow-obovoid; inner surface with usually 4 narrow ribs, the outer 2 with glandular groove for > 1/2 length; outer surface smooth; corona < 0.1 mm long or 0.

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

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Oct.–May.

 Bibliography
de Candolle, A.P. 1838 ("1837"): Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis. Vol. 6. Treuttel et Würtz, Paris.