Scentless Chamomile

 

Scientific Name: Matricaria perforata

Description. Scentless chamomile is an ornamental that looks similar to the domestic shasta daisy found in gardens, but the flowers are half the size and the plants are typically no more than 1-2 feet high in our mountain environments. While it is an annual at lower elevations, it has evolved to become a perennial in our high elevation sites. It also can build-up an impressive seed bank. Its leaves are very highly dissected and a single plant can produce 10s of flowering stems. The flowers of scentless chamomile and ox-eye daisy look very similar. Look at the leaves to tell them apart. Scentless chamomile leaves are so finely dissected, they might be described as feathery. Scentless chamomile can also grow taller and more bush-like than ox-eye daisy.

Management.
Methods that work.
1. Hand-pulling. Pulling up plants is an effective way of getting rid of this plant. It is much easier to pull up than ox-eye daisy. Hand-pulling works. This is the method we use to control scentless chamomile. Because it has an extensive seed bank, it takes a few years of hand-pulling plants to exhaust the seed bank. Native seed should be planted in disturbed areas where numerous plants have been pulled up.
2. Spot-spraying with Milestone. Milestone is a very mild herbicide that kills some plants. It works on scentless chamomile. It is not commonly available in stores, but it can be purchased online and some municipalities may make it available. A small amount goes a long way. Be sure to read the label.