Southern Chamomile

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Southern Chamomile

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anacyclus altissimus
• Anthemis altissima
• Anthemis cota var. brevicuspidata
• Anthemis reflexa
• Anthemis cota var. longicuspidata
• Chamaemelum altissimum
• Chamaemelum cota
• Pyrethrum cota
• Anthemis altissima var. discoidea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cota, with the species name altissima.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found in Belgium. It also inhabits the territories of Germany and Poland. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant extends into Switzerland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cota altiissima is characterized by its ability to colonize disturbed environments, specifically thriving within ruderal sites. This species demonstrates a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying diverse topographical gradients across its range. It can be found at elevations as low as 400 m AMSL, extending upward to a maximum elevation of 1700 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Habitat :

ruderal sites

Life history

The life history of Cota altissima is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological development—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. In terms of its structural life form, it is classified as a therophyte, a strategy where the plant survives unfavorable environmental conditions as ephemeral seeds, rapidly emerging to exploit seasonal resources before the onset of stress. This life form is consistently identified through its therophytic growth habit, which emphasizes a short-lived, rapid reproductive strategy tailored to transient or seasonal habitats.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Cota altissima is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This plant is self-supporting rather than a climber and functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial existence. Its habitat profile ranges from aquatic and semiaquatic environments to terrestrial settings. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively small, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cota altissima is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that dictates its reproductive success. The flowering period typically commences in May, marking the beginning of its reproductive phase, and continues through the warmer months until it reaches its conclusion in September. While the timing of these floral displays can be variable depending on environmental conditions, this window from May to September represents the primary period for pollination and subsequent seed development.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Sep

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cota altissima has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-sivasinolide, 1-epi-tatridin B, 1alpha,10beta-Epoxy-6-hydroxy-1,10H-inunolide, CHLOROGENIC ACID, ERIODICTYOL.

(-)-sivasinolide

1. Journal of natural products

1-epi-tatridin B

1. Journal of natural products

1alpha,10beta-Epoxy-6-hydroxy-1,10H-inunolide

1. Journal of natural products

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Journal of natural products

ERIODICTYOL

1. Journal of natural products

Isoquercetrin

1. Journal of natural products

Kaempferol 4'-methyl ether

1. Journal of natural products

Quercetin 3-methyl ether

1. Journal of natural products

Rhamnetin

1. Journal of natural products

Spiciformin

1. Journal of natural products