false chamomile

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• false chamomile
• false mayweed
• seaside chamomile
• Sea Mayweed
• coastal scentless mayweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Matricaria inodora subsp. maritima
• Matricaria inodora var. maritima
• Matricaria maritima
• Chamomilla maritima
• Chamaemelum inodorum var. maritimum
• Chrysanthemum maritimum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is specifically classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Tripleurospermum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the northern reaches of Europe. It can be found growing along the coastal regions of Denmark and Finland. The species also inhabits the unique landscapes of the Førøyar islands. Additionally, its presence is recorded throughout Great Britain. Finally, its range extends further north to include the island of Iceland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tripleurospermum maritimum is defined by its specialized adaptation to highly dynamic and saline coastal environments. This species primarily thrives in habitats consisting of sand and shores, where it occupies the interface between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. It is frequently found colonizing stabilized or shifting sand dunes, coastal embankments, and the upper reaches of sandy shorelines. Due to its placement in these high-energy zones, the plant is evolutionarily equipped to withstand significant environmental stressors, including salt spray, high wind exposure, and nutrient-poor, well-drained sandy substrates. Its presence in these specific niches allows it to exploit coastal zones that are often too harsh for less specialized vegetation.

Habitat :

sand, shores

Life history

The life history of Tripleurospermum maritimum is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant avoids seasonal stresses by surviving the unfavorable periods in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until conditions are favorable for new growth. Its biological structure is consistent with this life strategy, exhibiting an evergreen deciduousness pattern where the vegetative parts maintain their vitality throughout the active period. This combination of an annual cycle and a therophytic life form allows the species to effectively colonize transient or coastal habitats by rapidly exploiting available resources before producing the next generation of seeds.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Tripleurospermum maritimum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing or vining behavior, functioning instead as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, occupying land-based habitats. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.24 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.24 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tripleurospermum maritimum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing standard carbon fixation processes typical of many temperate herbaceous species. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on autotrophic production rather than the capture of prey. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of approximately 1.58875 cm², which contributes to its overall specific leaf area (SLA). The measured mean SLA is 197.39 cm²/g, a value that reflects the plant's leaf thickness and its functional adaptation to light interception and resource management within its specific ecological niche.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

1.58875 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

197.39 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tripleurospermum maritimum is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle that lacks asexual reproduction. The flowering period typically commences in July and concludes in September. The plant utilizes biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, which can occur through self-fertilization, the plant produces dry fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are indehiscent in nature. The resulting seeds are notably small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.000273333333333333 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00023 g to a maximum of 0.00029 g. The seed volume remains consistent at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 0.22 mm³. For the dissemination of its offspring, the plant employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing the wind to spread its seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00029 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000273333333333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00023 g

Seed volume max:

0.22 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tripleurospermum maritimum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Matricaria lactone.

Matricaria lactone

1. Marine drugs

Activities

Tripleurospermum maritimum has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Marine drugs

Neuroprotective

1. Marine drugs

Medicinal Uses

Tripleurospermum maritimum has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation.

Most Reported Uses