Matricaria matricarioides Pineapple Weed PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Matricaria matricarioides is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

M. discoidea. DC. M. suaveolens. non L.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses: Tea

Flower heads - raw or cooked[172]. A tasty nibble[172]. The dried flowers are used to make herb teas[172]. They are pineapple scented when steeped in hot water[183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic Carminative Galactogogue Sedative Skin Vermifuge

The flowering plant is antispasmodic, carminative, galactogogue, sedative, skin and vermifuge[9, 172, 222]. This plant is rarely used medicinally, though it is sometimes employed as a domestic remedy in the treatment of intestinal worms and also as a sedative[9]. The plant is harvested when in flower in the summer and is dried for later use[9]. Some caution is advised since some individuals are allergic to this plant[222].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Repellent

The plant repels insects[172]. The dried flowers are used as an insect repellent[213].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. The bruised or sun-warmed leaves emit the appealing odour of ripe apples[245].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring or late summer in situ. Germination should take place within 3 weeks.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Far East (Far East) NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), United States (Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Matricaria recutita	German Camomile	Annual	0.5	5-9		LMH	N	DM	1	5	4
Tanacetum parthenium	Feverfew, Matricaria	Perennial	0.6	5-8	M	LMH	N	DM	2	5	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

(Less.)Porter.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Markus Eymann	Mon Sep 8 2008

I have found that this plant (pineappleweed) is very useful for treating older (3-4 days or more) wounds that are slow to heal. I make a strong tea, allow it to cool, apply it to the wound, allow it to dry, then repeat. A single application is usually enough. I have used it on myself and other people, on infected scraps, shallow cuts, and deep cuts, including surgical incisions. Most people comment on an immediate sensation of relief, there are visible signs of healing within a day, healing is complete in three days to one week.

Matricaria matricarioides - (Less.)Porter.