Foraging: Pineapple Weed (Wild Chamomile)

By : | 16 Comments | On : June 6, 2015 | Category : Dehydrating, Food, Foraging, Preserve, Tea

Forage Wild Chamomile

Foraging for Pineapple Weed

I just love this time of year. Everything is blooming and growing, and there are so many wild plants to forage and learn about.

One plant currently making a showing is the Pineapple Weed. It is known by many names, both common and scientific – but I like to keep things simple. For me it has 3 names: Pineapple Weed, Wild Chamomile, and the latin: Matricaria Discoidea.

Wild Chamomile Facts: Where to Forage & How to Identify Pineapple Weed

You’ll find this interesting edible and medicinal plant growing in the cracks of sidewalks, the edges of roadways, and other disturbed and even compacted soil. Anywhere nothing much else wants to grow. Pineapple weed prefer dry conditions and full sun.

Pineapple weed grows between 2 – 12″ tall, but generally toward the smaller end of the scale. These little guys are an annual herb that grows from seed to seed in under 100 days.

Pineapple weed is in fact related to Chamomile, and is a part of the Daisy family (Asteraceae [Compositae]).
It looks very much like German Chamomile, but without flower petals. New green flower heads have a very thin, translucent membrane before the entire head is covered with tiny yellow-green flowers.
The flower heads are a rounded cone shape, like a tiny green egg.

Pineapple weed leaves look similar to a dill plant or a delicate fern.

Before flower heads emerge they resemble the larger plant Dog Fennel which is non-edible (although it has external uses).

Once flower heads develop, the pineapple weed is easily identified. If petals develop, it may be a Mayweed Chamomile.
A certain method which in all likelihood spawned its’ common name, is to crush the leaves or flower head and smell it.

Edible, Medicinal & Other Uses:

Pineapple weed has a sweet, mild pineapple scent and makes a lovely potpourri. Hang upside-down to dry and use as you would any potpourri.

Wild Chamomile will also help repel insects. Simply rub the plant over exposed skin.

Medicinally, pineapple weed has been used in folk medicine to treat colds, upset tummy (indigestion, diarrhea), to ease menstrual cramping, and soothe sores to name a few. Along with treating tummy upsets, it shares another valued quality with your usual Chamomile tea; it has a mild sedative effect which can help alleviate nervous conditions, stress, anxiety and insomnia.

The leaves of the plant, while edible, can be very bitter and most people prefer to forage only for the flower heads for use as a tea or snack.

The flower heads, stalks, and leaves are edible raw or cooked (all but the root). Pineapple weed flower heads can be eaten straight from the plant as a snack (make sure they are not sprayed or otherwise chemically treated – roadside plants should not be eaten as they are exposed to engine exhaust), used in salads, soups and breads or as a delightfully mild-pineapple flavored tea.

Making Pineapple Weed Tea

Use either dried or fresh wild chamomile flower heads to make a tea that will soothe your nerves and stomach.
When using fresh pineapple weed, add 1/4 cup of flower heads and 3 cups of boiling water to a tea pot. Cover to keep oils from evaporating. Let steep 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey.

Safety Warnings

NOTE: Some people are allergic to wild chamomile (pineapple weed). Use caution and consume only in very small amounts until you’re sure it won’t cause a reaction.
As always, forage using common sense. If you are not 100% sure; DON’T eat it. Some herbs may interact with medications, check with your doctor.

Foraging Pineapple Weed

Share This Post!

Comments (16)

  1. posted by Jenny From the Garden on June 7, 2015

    I see this all the time. Great post! I hope to dry some for tea now.

      Reply
    • posted by YogurtHydro on June 9, 2015

      Thanks Jenny From the Garden.:) After years of walking on this plant it’s nice to discover its uses.

        Reply
  2. posted by Alina Conn on June 10, 2015

    I’d love to hang it upside down and dry it to use as potpourri. I’m sure it smells divine.

      Reply
  3. posted by Sean on June 12, 2015

    I’ve used this to calm my stomach and it indeed works.

      Reply
    • posted by YogurtHydro on June 12, 2015

      That’s great.:) Did you prepare it as a tea?

        Reply
  4. posted by Mai Tran on June 26, 2015

    It’s always interesting to read your blog posts about weird strange plant I’ve never heard of before.

      Reply
    • posted by YogurtHydro on June 27, 2015

      Thanks Mai. Now that you are aware of them, you’ll probably see them everywhere lol. They tend to grow along the edges of every sidewalk!

        Reply
  5. posted by Starla B on July 3, 2015

    How interesting. So happy I have discovered your blog. So many great recipes and tips!

      Reply
    • posted by YogurtHydro on July 24, 2015

      Thanks so much Starla, I’m glad you discovered my blog too:)

        Reply
  6. posted by Linda Manns Linneman on July 5, 2015

    I don’t think I have ever seen these or heard of these. I really enjoyed this article. It sounds like this plant has alot of great uses

      Reply
    • posted by YogurtHydro on July 24, 2015

      Thanks Linda. I wonder if you’ll notice them now that you’re more aware of them.:)

        Reply
  7. posted by Ashley Perez on July 9, 2015

    very nice :)

      Reply
  8. posted by Jay Wilson on July 12, 2015

    This would be 50% cooler if you actually included some info on how to grow and cultivate it. I have tried several times without luck.

      Reply
    • posted by YogurtHydro on July 24, 2015

      I’ll work on that as a future post. Thanks Jay.:)

        Reply
  9. posted by johnhutchens1 on August 2, 2015

    pineapple weed makes great tea. It is very good

      Reply
    • posted by YogurtHydro on August 6, 2015

      I agree, it makes a very nice tea.:)

        Reply

Leave a Reply