Anthemis tinctoria
Encyclopedia
Anthemis
Anthemis is a genus of about 100 species of aromatic herbs in the Asteraceae, closely related to Chamaemelum, and like that genus, known by the common name chamomile; some species are also called dog-fennel or mayweed. However, Mayweed is improperly used for this genus since Mayweed refers to the...
of the Sunflower family (Asteraceae).
This popular flower has several common names : Golden Marguerite, Marguerite Daisy, Dyer's Chamomile, Ox-eye Chamomile, Boston Daisies, Paris Daisies.
It is a short-lived biennial, occurring in the Mediterranean and western Asia. It has aromatic, bright green, feathery foliage. The serrate leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
are bi-pinnatifid (= finely divided) and downy beneath. It grows to a height of 60 cm.
It has yellow daisy-like terminal flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s on long thin angular stems, blooming in profusion during the summer.
It has no culinary or commercial uses and only limited medicinal uses. However, it produces excellent yellow, buff and golden-orange dyes, used in the past for fabrics.
Cota tinctoria is grown in gardens for its bright attractive flowers and fine lacy foliage; there is a white flowering form also but the most commonly grown form is the seed raised cultivar 'Kelwayi' which has 5 cm wide, yellow flowers on 65 cm plants. The asexually propagated cultivar 'E.C. Buxton' is a hybrid between this species and another Anthemis species.
