Have you noticed common pineapple-weed (Matricaria discoidea) alongside the trails of Mission Trails Regional Park?

Look closely and you will see its yellowish-green cone-shaped flower head, in bloom from March to September.

It looks like its close relative, chamomile (Matricaria recutita) with similar feathery foliage, but without the white ray florets. Pinch the flower head of pineapple-weed: it has a fruity scent like pineapple. Chamomile, native to Asia and Europe and not found in our area, is also aromatic, but it does not have a fruity scent.

Pineapple-weed is widespread and flourishes in disturbed ground, hard-packed soil which may be unsuitable for other plants. Pineapple-weed reproduces easily with its gelatinous seeds which attach themselves to anything passing by and can travel with rainwater. Thus, it is nicknamed street weed and is also called false chamomile or disc mayweed.

Although previously identified as an introduced plant, common pineapple-weed is actually native to western North America and has spread across the continent. Indigenous people were known to make use of its medicinal and aromatic properties.

The edible flowers and leaves are packed with nutrients, although it will upset the stomach if one eats too much, or it may cause an allergic reaction if one has Asteraceae allergies.

Otherwise, it can be steeped into a tea to promote relaxation (remember when Peter Rabbit was put to bed with a dose of chamomile tea while Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail had bread, milk, and blackberries for supper?), crushed into an essential oil for an insect repellent, boiled into syrup or jam, or used as an ingredient for salad dressing.

It is quite a useful and humble little plant.

Photo credit: Millie Basden

Editor’s note: Nora Bodrian is a trail guide with Mission Trails Regional Park.