Chamomile is a member of the Asteraceae family, which also includes daisies, asters, and sunflowers. It is known for its sweet, apple-like scent and its soothing properties. Chamomile tea is a popular drink, and chamomile essential oil is used in aromatherapy and skincare products.
However, chamomile is not the only flower with these characteristics. There are several plants that closely resemble chamomile and are often mistaken for it.
In this article, we will introduce you to 8 plants that look like chamomile and help you identify them.
[Related Article: 10 Weeds That Look Like Tomato Plants]
1.Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile is a small, herbaceous plant with fern-like leaves and small, daisy-like flowers. The flowers are white with yellow centers and have a sweet, apple-like scent.
Chamomile is often used in teas, tinctures, and skincare products.
2.Pineapple Weed (Matricaria discoidea)
Pineapple weed, also known as wild chamomile, is a small annual plant that closely resembles chamomile. It has fern-like leaves and small, yellow-green flowers that have a pineapple-like scent when crushed.
Pineapple weed is often used in teas and as a natural insect repellent.
3.Scentless Chamomile (Tripleurospermum inodorum)
Scentless chamomile is a tall, annual plant that is often mistaken for chamomile. It has fern-like leaves and small, daisy-like flowers that are similar in appearance to chamomile but lack the characteristic apple-like scent.
Scentless chamomile is often considered a weed and can be found in fields and along roadsides.
4.Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Oxeye daisy is a common wildflower that closely resembles chamomile. It has white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers and fern-like leaves.
However, the flowers of oxeye daisy are larger than those of chamomile and lack the apple-like scent.
5.Mayweed (Anthemis cotula)
Mayweed, also known as stinking chamomile, is an annual plant that closely resembles chamomile. It has fern-like leaves and small, white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers.
However, the flowers of mayweed lack the sweet, apple-like scent of chamomile and have a strong, unpleasant odor.
6.Golden Marguerite (Anthemis tinctoria)
Golden marguerite is a perennial plant that closely resembles chamomile. It has fern-like leaves and small, yellow, daisy-like flowers.
However, the flowers of golden marguerite are larger than those of chamomile and lack the sweet, apple-like scent.
7.Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Feverfew is a perennial plant that closely resembles chamomile. It has fern-like leaves and small, white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. However, the flowers of feverfew lack the sweet, apple-like scent of chamomile and have a bitter taste.
Feverfew is often used in herbal medicine to treat migraines and other ailments.
8.Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a perennial plant that closely resembles chamomile. It has fern-like leaves and small, white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. However, the flowers of yarrow lack the sweet, apple-like scent of chamomile and have a slightly bitter taste.
Yarrow is often used in herbal medicine to treat wounds and other ailments.
Conclusion
Chamomile is a popular herb with distinctive features, but there are several plants that closely resemble it. Pineapple weed, scentless chamomile, oxeye daisy, mayweed, golden marguerite, feverfew, and yarrow are all plants that can be mistaken for chamomile.
By knowing the characteristics of each plant, you can identify them correctly and avoid confusion.
