Tripleurospermum maritimum

Tripleurospermum maritimum (syn. Matricaria maritima[1]) is a species of flowering plant in the aster family commonly known as false mayweed[2] or sea mayweed. It is found in many coastal areas of Northern Europe, including Scandinavia and Iceland, often growing in sand or amongst beach pebbles.

Tripleurospermum maritimum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Tribe:
Anthemideae
Genus:
Tripleurospermum
Species:
T. maritimum
Binomial name
Tripleurospermum maritimum
Synonyms

Matricaria maritima L.

In Iceland, sea mayweed is known as Baldr's eyelashes (baldursbrá), though this name is given to all mayweed flowers in Norway and Sweden.

Description

Tripleurospermum maritimum is a herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial which grows with prostrate to erect stems to a height of 60 cm (24 in).[3] As with many maritime plants, it is a halophyte[4] with fleshy leaves which help it to survive in the harsh salty environment. The leaves are divided into short segments. When crushed, they yield a sweet smell similar to that of its relative chamomile, though much fainter.

The daisy-like flowers usually appear between July and September and can reach up to 50 mm across. The stems of the plant are frequently tinged red towards the base.

Habitat

Found around the coast in the uppershore and waste ground.[5]

References
  1. Tripleurospermum maritimum (L.) W.D.J. Koch subsp. maritimum false mayweed, Plants Database, usda.gov
  2. "Tripleurospermum maritimum". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  3. Clapham, A. R.; Tutin, T. G.; and Warburg, E. F.; 1968, Excursion Flora of the British Isles, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-04656-4
  4. "Sea mayweed". wildflowerfinder.org. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  5. Hackney, P. ed. 1992. Stewart and Corry's Flora of the North-east of Ireland. Institute of Irish Studies, The Queen's University of Belfast ISBN 0-85389-446-9

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