Globe Chamomile refers to the globe like flower heads.
Other names:
Matricaria because it was previously in the Matricaria genus
Summary:
A deeply lobed leaf, erect, annual plant with globular, yellow flower heads in spring on long stalks and with an objectionable smell.
Description:
Cotyledons:
Two. Oval. Tip round. Base tapered. Hairless. No petiole.
First leaves:
Hairy, narrowly egg shaped with an acute tip.
Leaves:
Alternate. Forms a rosette. Strong objectionable smell.
Stipules - None.
Petiole - None.
Blade - Green. Egg shaped to oval in outline, 2 times deeply lobed (i.e. the lobes have lobes also). Lobes parallel sided, less than 1 mm wide, with pointed tips. Hairy with fine hairs.
Stem leaves - Clasping.
Stems:
Erect, up to 800 mm tall, much branched, longitudinal grooves. Hairy with fine hairs.
Flower head:
Globular, 10 mm diameter, on the ends of long stalks. 2 rows of bracts underneath the flower head.
Flowers:
Yellow. At ends of stems.
Ovary - Conical, elongated receptacle.
'Petals' - None.
Stamens -
Anthers -
Fruit:
Achene, 1-2 mm long by 0.5-1 mm wide, curved, ribbed on the inner face. Pappus is a very small crown of white scales to 1 mm long.
Seeds:
Enclosed in the achene
Roots:
Taproot.
Key Characters:
Achene ribbed on the inner face. Conical, elongated receptacle. Involucre of 2 rows of equal, scarious bracts.
Biology:
Life cycle:
Annual. Germinates in Autumn/winter. Flowers in spring.
Physiology:
Reproduction:
By seed.
Flowering times:
Spring.
Seed Biology and Germination:
Vegetative Propagules:
None.
Hybrids:
Allelopathy:
Population Dynamics and Dispersal:
Spread by seed.
Origin and History:
South Africa.
Distribution:
VIC, WA.
Near Moora and in the central wheat belt in WA.
Habitats:
Climate:
Temperate.
Soil:
Plant Associations:
Significance:
Beneficial:
Detrimental:
Weed of crops, pastures, roadsides, fallows and disturbed areas.
Toxicity:
Not recorded as toxic.
Legislation:
None.
Management and Control:
Thresholds:
Eradication strategies:
Herbicide resistance:
Biological Control:
Related plants:
African Sheep bush (Pentzia incana)
Calomba Daisy (Pentzia suffruticosa)
Plants of similar appearance:
References:
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Cousens, R.D., Dodd, J. and Lloyd, S.G. (1997). Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. (Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia). P102. Photo.
Lamp, C. and Collet, F. (1990). A Field Guide to Weeds in Australia. (Inkata Press, Melbourne).
Lazarides, M. and Hince, B. (1993). CSIRO handbook of economic plants of Australia. (CSIRO, Melbourne). #947.1.