Definition

Noun: * A species of flowering plant in the daisy family: Matricaria recutita is the scientific name for an annual herb native to Europe and Western Asia. It is closely related to and often confused with other plants called "chamomile." It is primarily known for its fragrant flowers, which are used to make herbal tea and in traditional medicine.

Usage

• This term is a scientific botanical name. It is used in formal, academic, or technical contexts such as botany, pharmacology, and herbalism to precisely identify this specific species.
• In everyday conversation, this plant is almost always referred to by its common name, "German chamomile" or simply "chamomile."

Examples

• Scientific/Formal Context:
  • The study compared the essential oil composition of Matricaria recutita and Chamaemelum nobile.
  • For the herbal preparation, we used dried flowers of Matricaria recutita.
• Common Name Context (for comparison):
  • I drink chamomile tea to relax before bed. (Here, "chamomile" is understood to refer to Matricaria recutita).

Advanced Usage

• The name follows the binomial nomenclature system (Genus , species ). In taxonomic writing, it is often italicized.
• It may be abbreviated after first use in a scientific paper as .

Variants and Related Words

• German Chamomile (n): The standard common name for .
• Wild Chamomile (n): Another common name, referring to its growth habit.
• Chamomile (n): The broad common name, which can sometimes refer to other similar plants like (Roman chamomile). is the most common source of commercial "chamomile."
• Matricaria chamomilla (n): A former or synonymous scientific name for the same plant.

Synonyms

• German Chamomile
• Wild Chamomile
• Scented Mayweed (though this name is less common and can be ambiguous)

Notes on Meaning

• The reference context notes a specific distinction: compared to other chamomiles (like Roman chamomile), the tea made from has a more bitter taste and its medicinal effect is considered inferior by some traditional standards. This is a specific point of comparison within herbalism.

Noun

1. annual Eurasian herb similar in fragrance and medicinal uses to chamomile though taste is more bitter and effect is considered inferior