The word chamomile comes from the Greek (chamaimlon) meaning "earth-apple",

[6]

which is derived from (chamai) meaning "on the ground"[7] and (mlon) meaning

"apple".[8] It is so called because of the apple-like scent of the plant.

The name Matricaria comes from the Latin word matrix, meaning womb,
groundwork, parent tree or the Latin word mater meaning mother and
obviously referring to its use in helping relieve painful menstruation

Chamomile Matricaria is a genus of flowering plants in the Chamomile tribe within the
(sunflower family).[3][4] Some of the species have the common name of "mayweed," but this name
also refers to plants not in this genus.
Most are very common in the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and America, as well as in
northern and southern Africa, and some are naturalised in Australia.Matricaria occidentalis is
native to North America; other species have been introduced there.[5][6][7]
These are hardy, pleasantly aromatic annuals, growing along roadsides inruderal communities
and in fallow land rich in nutrients. Though many are considered nuisance weeds, they are
suitable for rock gardens and herb gardens, and as border plants.
Their many-branched stems are prostrate to erect, glabrous, and very leafy.
Their bipinnate leaves have numerous linear, narrowly lobed leaflets.[5]
The flowers are radially symmetrical. The greenish-yellow capitula are semi-spherical. The white
ray florets can be present (M. recutita) or lacking (M. discoidea). The disc florets are 4- to 5dentate. The receptacle is 23 times as high as wide. The pappusmay be crown-shaped and
short, or lacking.[5]
Matricaria species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species
(caterpillars) including Lime-speck Pug.
The extract of Matricaria recutita (German chamomile) is taken as a strong tea. It has been used
in herbal medicine as a carminative and anti-inflammatory. It is also used in ointments and
lotions, and as a mouthwash against infections of mouth and gums. Aromatherapy uses
two essential oils of chamomile: the "true chamomile" oil (or German chamomile oil, from M.
recutita) and the Roman chamomile oil (fromChamaemelum nobile).