Asteraceae, the daisy, sunflower or composite family.
Description:
Plant:
Often low, somewhat woolly-hairy plant 6"-2' high with highly dissected leaves and daisy-like white flowers. Annual or biennial.
Flowers:
White, daisy-like heads with yellow centers, to about 1", solitary, on long stems that exceed
the foliage.
Leaves:
Alternate, highly dissected, usually twice pinnately divided, 1"-2" long.
The foliage is mildly scented, in contrast to the similar A. cotula (Stinking Chamomile).
Fruit:
A head of dry, seedlike achenes.
Blooming:
June - killing frost.
Habitat:
Waste places, roadsides.
Comments:
Introduced from Eurasia, this plant is very similar to Stinking Chamomile (A. cotula);
it is distinguished by lack of a strong unpleasant smell, and by the woolly-hairy stems.
It is closely related to the plant from which chamomile tea is usually made
(Matricaria recutita), and the dried flowers can similarly be used.
Where to find it:
Not particularly common in the park; most often found in the area adjacent to the Islamic center.