Scentless chamomile is an herbaceous forb in the Asteraceae (daisy/aster) family. It may be an annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial. It produces erect stems that vary widely in height, depending on the environment, reaching between 6 and 36 inches tall. Leaves are green and 1 to 2 inches long. Leaves are pinnate and finely dissected often resembling dill. Scentless chamomile flowers from late spring to early fall. Flowers are composite flowers consisting of a center of yellow disk florets and outer white ray florets. These flowers are between .75 and 1.25 inches. Flowers may be confused with those of oxeye daisy or Shasta daisy; however, the outer ray florets of scentless chamomile are small and occur sparsely around the inner disk florets. Scentless chamomile has a shallow, fibrous root system. Seeds are small achenes (2mm) and are dark brown to black with three light brown ribs.
Scentless chamomile is native to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa and was introduced to North America in the late 1800s. It spreads solely by seeds. It is primarily found along roadsides, industrial and disturbed sites, and in pastures and along trails.
Prevention strategies should be utilized as much as possible.
Cultural control through revegetation or reseeding can provide competition that will allow desirable species to outcompete scentless chamomile.
There are no biological controls for scentless chamomile currently available in Teton County.
Because scentless chamomile has a shallow, fibrous root system, it can be readily managed by hand pulling or digging out the root. Tilling may be effective in controlling scentless chamomile, but chopping is not as the fibrous root system cannot be adequately removed through this method. Mowing and grazing will not eradicate stands of scentless chamomile, but they can be beneficial in preventing flower production. Do not mow while seeds are present.
Larger infestations can be controlled with herbicides. Spring and fall treatments of young plants are recommended, but treatment of bolting plants can be effective. Flowering plants may also be treated to prevent further seed production. Read the label before using any herbicide. Contact TCWP if you have any questions about application rates or how to use an herbicide.
