365 Urban Species. #134: Pineapple Weed

[urbpan]

Urban species #134: Pineapple weed Matricaria matricarioides

Some plants just don't seem to mind being stepped on. Pineapple weed is one of those weeds that seems to grow right in the path of foot traffic. It is tolerant of well-compacted, nutrient-poor soils, so it's a natural for those areas between roads and sidewalks, driveways and front doors, and footpaths and parks. As you tread through it, you may notice the faint pineapple aroma it gives off. Crush one of the small flower tops (a little smaller than a pencil eraser, usually) with your fingers and you can really smell the pineapple flavor. A close relative of chamomile, pineapple weed's essence can be likewise be enjoyed in a mild tea.

Unlike many wild plants found in cities in North America, pineapple weed actually originates on this continent. It once was found only on the west coast, but has become an urban species all across the country.




This slope is continually washed by storm runoff from the Jamaicaway, leaving the soil sandy and nutrient-depleted, and probably polluted.

Comments

[wandererrob.livejournal.com]

I followed a link from boston_photos and started looking around. What a great journal! I love way you see things from an unusual perspective, in this case a nature lover in an urban environment. :)

Do you mind if I add you to my friends list?

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Not at all! By f'listing, you get to read about my fretting about work, school, and life, as well as seeing the 365 series, but if you don't mind, come aboard!

Thanks for the kind words!

[wandererrob.livejournal.com]

I don't mind at all. Mine is much the same. :)

[maybethecat.livejournal.com]

it is nice to see things that are not invasive on the list, especially when it comes to the weeds

[bezigebij.livejournal.com]

I love these plants. I always just assumed they were a type of chamomile. I used to crush the flowers in my fingers as a kid because I liked the smell. And I've made very yummy tea with them.

[obsidiangecko.livejournal.com]

Ah, unlike a lot of the other plants cross-continent, I knew I recognised this one instantly. My elder sister, once a "traveller" used to make a beautiful tea out of this plant and used it in a lot of cooking too. This plant certainly brings me back to my childhood, gardening in the scottish highlands as it is also nigh on impossible to pull up once it is established.

[ankhanu.livejournal.com]

Interesting... a native invasive :)
I've always wondered what that pant was, but, for whatever reason, never looked it up. Thanks for the info.

PS - you can definately smell the relation to chamimille; that was something else I was wondering about them.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Strangely, the healthiest looking group of pineapple weeds I ever saw was in an athletic field in Anchorage AK. The whole plants were larger, and the flower tops were twice the size of the ones I was familiar with. It seems as though it's actually native there. (Same story with fireweed--it was so common there, along roadways, that I assumed it was invasive, but it's native.)

[artemii.livejournal.com]

it also reminds me of feverfew.