Definition

Noun: 1. A common European weed: A ubiquitous annual plant (Tripleurospermum inodorum or Matricaria perforata) with white, daisy-like flowers and finely divided, feathery leaves. It is naturalized and sometimes considered a weed in eastern North America. * Key characteristic: Despite its name and resemblance to true chamomile, its foliage lacks a strong, aromatic scent when crushed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The field was covered in scentless camomile, its white flowers creating a blanket of color.
  • Gardeners often try to control scentless camomile as it can invade lawns and cultivated areas.
  • You can distinguish it from German chamomile by crushing the leaves; scentless camomile has little to no fragrance.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical identification: The term is used specifically in botanical and horticultural contexts to differentiate this species from aromatic, medicinal chamomiles (e.g., ). Its "scentless" quality is a key diagnostic feature.

Variants and Related Words

• Scentless false mayweed: Another common name for the same plant species.
• Wild chamomile: A more general name that can sometimes cause confusion, as it may refer to several similar-looking plants.
• Matricaria perforata: A former botanical synonym sometimes found in older texts.
• Tripleurospermum inodorum: The current accepted botanical name in many classifications.

Synonyms

• Scentless mayweed
• False chamomile (Note: This term can also refer to other similar species)

Notes on Different Meanings

• This term refers specifically to a single species of plant. It should not be confused with "chamomile" alone, which typically denotes the aromatic herbs used for tea (German chamomile) or as a ground cover (Roman chamomile). The modifier "scentless" is crucial to its meaning.

Noun

1. ubiquitous European annual weed with white flowers and finely divided leaves naturalized and sometimes cultivated in eastern North America; sometimes included in genus Matricaria