Abundance: uncommon
What: flowers, leaves
How: raw, tea
Where: dry, abused soil such as dirt roads
When: spring, summer, fall
Nutritional Value: minimal
Medicinal Summary: sedative (tisane)
Pineapple weeds.
Whole pineapple weed plant.
Closeup of pineapple weed yellowish-green flowers.
Pineapple weed is an amazing plant which seems to thrive in abused soil such as dirt roads, driveways, and other dry/sandy soil. A very delicious and calming tea similar to chamomile can be made from the plant.
The crushed plant can be rubbed on exposed skin as a weak insect repellent.
Leaf Arrangement: The leaves are arranged alternately along the stem.
Leaf Shape: The leaves are finely divided, feathery, and almost fern-like, typically measuring about 1 to 3 inches in length.
Leaf Venation: The venation is not distinctly visible due to the finely divided nature of the leaves.
Leaf Margin: The margins of the individual leaf segments are entire or slightly toothed.
Leaf Color: The leaves are a bright green color.
Flower Structure: The flowers are small, clustered in dense, flat-topped heads. Each head resembles a single flower but is composed of numerous tiny florets.
Flower Color: The florets are yellowish-green, lacking the white petals typical of many other daisy family members.
Fruit: The plant produces a small, dry, one-seeded fruit known as an achene.
Seed: The seeds are tiny, ridged, and brown.
Stem: The stem is erect, branched, and can be smooth or slightly hairy.
Hairs: There may be fine hairs present on the stem and leaves.
Height: Matricaria discoidea typically grows to a height of 6 to 18 inches.
Pineapple weeds.
Whole pineapple weed plant.
Closeup of pineapple weed yellowish-green flowers.
Pineapple weed is an amazing plant which seems to thrive in abused soil such as dirt roads, driveways, and other dry/sandy soil. A very delicious and calming tea similar to chamomile can be made from the plant.
The crushed plant can be rubbed on exposed skin as a weak insect repellent.
USDA does not have records of this plant appearing Texas but it can be grown here from seeds.
North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture.
Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.
Buy my book! Outdoor Adventure Guides Foraging covers 70 of North America's tastiest and easy to find wild edibles shown with the same big pictures as here on the Foraging Texas website.
