chamomile

/kam"euh muyl', -meel'/, n.

1. a composite plant, Chamaemelium nobile (or Anthemis nobilis), native to the Old World, having strongly scented foliage and white ray flowers with yellow centers used medicinally and as a tea.

2. any of several allied plants of the genera Matricaria and Tripleurospermum.

Also, camomile.

[1350-1400; ME camamyll, camomille < MF, OF camomille or ML camomilla, for L chamaemelon < Gk chamaímelon, equiv. to chamaí on the ground + mêlon apple; allegedly so called from the applelike odor of the flowers]

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Any of the more than 100 species of Eurasian herbs that make up the genus Anthemis, in the composite family; also, a similar plant in the genus Chamaemelum of the same family.

Both genera have yellow or white ray flowers and yellow disk flowers. Several Anthemis species are cultivated as ornamentals, especially golden marguerite, or yellow chamomile (A. tinctoria). The strong-smelling mayweed (A. cotula) has been used in medicines and insecticides. Chamomile tea, used as a tonic and an antiseptic as well as in herbal remedies, is made from C. nobile, or A. nobilis.

Chamomile (Anthemis tomentosa)

Anthony J. Huxley

EB Inc.

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▪ plant

also spelled  camomile 

 plant of the genus Anthemis, containing more than 100 species of Eurasian herbs in the family Asteraceae; also, a similar plant in the genus Chamaemelum of the same family. Both genera have yellow or white ray flowers and yellow disk flowers in the compact flower heads.

      Several species of Anthemis are cultivated as garden ornamentals, especially golden marguerite, or yellow chamomile (A. tinctoria). Mayweed (A. cotula) is a strong-smelling weed that has been used in medicines and insecticides. Chamomile tea, used as a tonic and an antiseptic and in many herbal remedies, is made from Chamaemelum nobile, or Anthemis nobilis. Wild chamomile comes from Matricaria recutita and is also native to Eurasia.

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