Matricaria aurea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lepidotheca aurea
• Anthemis canescens var. aurea
• Plagius aureus
• Cenocline aurea
• Chamaemelum aureum
• Chamomilla aurea
• Cotula pubescens
• Cotulina aurea
• Perideraea aurea

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 a member of the family Asteraceae and is specifically classified under the genus Matricaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within the borders of Great Britain. Moving toward the center of the continent, it is also found throughout Middle Europe, specifically in Germany. The species extends significantly into Southwestern Europe, where it inhabits the landscapes of France. Finally, its range reaches the southern reaches of the continent in both Portugal and Spain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Matricaria aurea is characterized by its adaptation to diverse and often challenging substrates, thriving in habitats such as limestone, meadows, saline places, and sandy soils. This species occupies a specific altitudinal niche, typically found within an elevational range that begins at 800 m AMSL and reaches an upper limit of 1400 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Habitat :

limestone, meadows, saline places, sand

Life history

The life history of Matricaria aurea is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological development—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. Functionally, it is classified as a therophyte, a life form defined by its strategy of surviving unfavorable environmental conditions through highly resilient seeds that remain dormant until favorable growing conditions return. This life form ensures that the plant avoids seasonal stresses by bypassing the vegetative stage during periods of drought or cold, relying instead on its rapid annual progression to ensure reproductive success before the onset of the next dormant period.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Matricaria aurea is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This plant is a self-supporting species, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. It primarily occupies terrestrial habitats, though its ecological range can include semiaquatic or aquatic environments. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing plant, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.04 m to a maximum of 0.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.2 m

Plant height min:

0.04 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Matricaria aurea is closely linked to its seasonal flowering cycle, which dictates its reproductive success and seed production. The flowering period for this species is characterized by significant variability depending on environmental conditions, though it typically follows a predictable seasonal window. The flowering process begins as early as February, marking the onset of the reproductive phase when the plant prepares to attract pollinators. This blooming period continues through the spring, with the flowering end generally occurring around April. Because the specific timing of these stages can be variable throughout the year, the plant's ability to complete its life cycle and distribute seeds is highly dependent on the stability of these seasonal transitions.

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Apr

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Matricaria aurea has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Current pharmaceutical design

Chemicals

Matricaria aurea has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Antioxidants, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Flavonoid, Flavonoids, Luteolin 7-O-glucoside.

Antioxidants

1. Nutrients

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Flavonoid

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Flavonoids

1. Nutrients

Luteolin 7-O-glucoside

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Tannin

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

ferulic acid

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

p-coumaric acid

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

polyphenols

1. Nutrients

Activities

Matricaria aurea has 6 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative.

Antibacterial

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Antifungal

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Antimicrobial

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Antioxidant

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Antiproliferative

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Cytotoxic

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Conditions

Matricaria aurea has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, gastrointestinal diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Dyslipidemia

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Gastrointestinal diseases

1. Nutrients

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Preparations

Matricaria aurea has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude flowers of M. aurea extract, hydro-alcoholic extracts, polar hydroethanolic extract of MA.

Crude flowers of m. aurea extract

1. Current pharmaceutical design

Hydro-alcoholic extracts

1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Polar hydroethanolic extract of ma

1. Frontiers in pharmacology