Anthemis tinctoria Yellow Camomile PFAF Plant Database

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Anthemis tinctoria - L.

Common Name

Yellow Camomile

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Sunny slopes, rocks, railway tracks and walls, usually on limestone[89].

Range

Europe - Mediterranean. A casual in Britain[17].

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Anthemis tinctoria is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, lepidoptera, flies, beetles, self.The plant is self-fertile.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anthemis_tinctoria_Sturm41.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anthemis_tinctoria_001.JPG

Habitats
Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antispasmodic; Emmenagogue; Vesicant.

The whole plant is antispasmodic, diaphoretic, emetic, emmenagogue and vesicant[4]. It is used internally as a tea, which can be made either from the flowers or the whole plant[4]. Applied externally, it is used as a poultice on piles and can also be applied to the bath water[4].The leaves are rubbed onto insect stings[222].

Other Uses
Dye. A distinctive yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[14, 17, 46, 61, 89, 169, 244].

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained sweet soil and a sunny position[1]. Grows well on chalk[187]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[233]. Hardy to about -15°c[200]. Another report says that it is hardy to about -25°c[187]. This species has formerly been cultivated as a dye plant[61], the var. 'Kelawayi' is said to be the best form[169]. Plants are apt to over-flower and exhaust themselves. It is best to remove the flowering stems as soon as they stop flowering in order to stimulate the production of basal shoots for the following year[233].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow March/April in a greenhouse[134]. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Light aids germination. The seed usually germinates in 2 weeks at 20°c[134]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Cuttings of soft wood early summer in a frame. Very easy[K]. Division in spring or autumn[200].

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
89200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.

Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[14]Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs.

A good herbal.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[46]Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants.

An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.

Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[89]Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean.

A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.

[134]Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2.

Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.

[169]Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

Covers all aspects of growing your own clothes, from fibre plants to dyes.

[187]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2.

Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[222]Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.

A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.

[233]Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants

A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[244]Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs

Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Lawler Barnes	Sun May 31 2009

Nature Abhors a Garden Nature abhors a Garden for 2/22/09 discusses the history of Anthemis tinctoria as a dye plant.

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