Corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) is a daisy-like flowering plant that's made its mark since arriving in North America in the late 1800s. It's distinguished by its white petals, yellow centers, and finely divided leaves, growing up to 20 inches tall in well-drained soils. While it's earned the nickname "scentless chamomile" due to its lack of fragrance, this resilient plant produces seeds that remain viable for over a decade. Though it's considered invasive in agricultural settings, corn chamomile serves as a valuable nectar source for pollinators, creating an intriguing balance between ecological benefit and environmental concern. Understanding its complex role in modern ecosystems reveals fascinating insights about plant adaptation and management.
Main Points
- Corn chamomile is a daisy-like plant with white petals and yellow centers, growing up to 20 inches tall in well-drained soil.
- Originally introduced to North America in the 1800s, this annual plant produces seeds that remain viable for over ten years.
- Unlike similar-looking species, corn chamomile lacks fragrance, earning it the common name "scentless chamomile."
- The plant flowers from late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies while requiring minimal maintenance.
- Its invasive nature and rapid spread make it a significant concern for farmers, requiring active monitoring and control measures.
Introduction

Corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) stands as a notable agricultural weed that made its way from European fields to North American landscapes in the late 1800s.
This resilient plant, characterized by its daisy-like white flowers with bright yellow centers, has established itself as both a persistent agricultural challenge and a common sight along roadsides and disturbed areas.
Its remarkable ability to produce long-lasting seeds and form dense colonies has transformed corn chamomile from an introduced species into a significant concern for farmers and ecologists working to maintain native biodiversity.
Common Name
The plant's most recognized common name is Corn Chamomile, though it's also widely known as Field Chamomile. This European native has established itself globally, carrying various regional names that reflect its widespread presence in agricultural landscapes and open fields.
One of its most distinctive appellations is "scentless chamomile," which stems from its notable lack of fragrance, setting it apart from its aromatic relatives in the Asteraceae family. This characteristic helps distinguish it from similar-looking species, particularly the strong-smelling Anthemis cotula, commonly known as mayweed chamomile.
In scientific circles, the plant is formally identified by its USDA code ANAR6, while botanists and researchers consistently refer to it by its Latin name, Anthemis arvensis.
The multiple common names associated with this species – including mayweed and field chamomile – reflect its adaptability to various environments and its historical significance in different cultural contexts. These diverse appellations have evolved through centuries of human interaction with the plant, demonstrating its long-standing presence in both agricultural and wild settings.
Scientific Name
Scientifically classified as Anthemis arvensis, this flowering plant maintains its taxonomic position within the diverse Asteraceae family. The species designation reflects its natural occurrence in agricultural landscapes, where it has established significant ecological relationships with surrounding flora and fauna.
The taxonomic literature also recognizes a specific variety of Corn Chamomile under the name Anthemis arvensis L. var. agrestis (Wallr.) DC., which demonstrates the plant's natural variation within its species classification. This detailed categorization helps botanists and researchers understand the plant's evolutionary history and its relationships with other members of the Anthemis genus.
The scientific nomenclature of Anthemis arvensis serves as more than just a formal identification system. It provides essential information for conservation efforts, agricultural management, and ecological studies, allowing researchers to track and document the species' distribution and behavior patterns.
Through standardized databases like The Plant List and ITIS, scientists can access reliable taxonomic information, ensuring consistent identification and classification of this important agricultural species across different regions and research contexts.
Overview
Among Europe's most recognizable agricultural plants, corn chamomile has established itself as a resilient species that now spans multiple continents. Originally native to European landscapes, this adaptable plant made its way to North American shores during the latter part of the nineteenth century, where it quickly demonstrated its colonizing capabilities.
In its preferred environment, corn chamomile flourishes in disturbed habitats, particularly those offering well-drained soil conditions. The plant's remarkable success in meadows, fields, and roadside environments stems from its aggressive reproductive strategy and hardy nature.
Its ability to produce copious amounts of long-lasting seeds, which can remain viable in soil for more than ten years, enables rapid establishment in newly disturbed areas.
While corn chamomile's proliferation has proven beneficial for its own survival, its tendency to form dense, exclusive stands poses significant challenges to local ecosystems. This characteristic has garnered attention from ecologists and agriculturists alike, as the plant's dominance can substantially reduce biodiversity and impair crop productivity in affected areas.
Key Features
Corn chamomile stands out in fields and roadsides with its compact growth pattern, reaching modest heights of 20 to 30 centimeters at maturity.
The plant's most striking features include its daisy-like white ray flowers with prominent yellow centers, accompanied by intricately divided, alternate leaves that create a distinctive silhouette.
From early spring through late summer, these hardy annuals produce their characteristic blooms, attracting pollinators while maintaining their ability to thrive in various disturbed habitats.
Growth Size
The distinctive growth pattern of Anthemis arvensis manifests in erect stems that reach heights of up to 20 inches (50 cm). This chamomile species, now widespread throughout North America, develops multiple branches primarily emerging from the plant's base, creating a robust foundation for its architectural structure. The branching pattern supports the characteristic white ray flowers that crown each stem during the blooming period.
The plant's overall size and growth habit are particularly well-suited to its annual life cycle, allowing it to establish quickly and compete effectively in agricultural settings. Its moderate height enables it to thrive in various environments while maintaining sufficient presence to compete with surrounding vegetation.
The finely divided, alternate leaves emerge along the stems, creating a balanced distribution of foliage that enhances the plant's efficiency in capturing sunlight. As the growing season progresses, the plant maintains its compact yet spreading form, with the branching structure becoming more pronounced.
This architectural arrangement optimizes the display of flower heads and subsequent seed production, ensuring successful reproduction within its single-season lifecycle.
Appearance
Standing as a distinctive member of the daisy family, Anthemis arvensis displays small, white ray flowers with bright yellow centers measuring about 3/4 inch across. Its appearance throughout the United States has made it a recognizable sight in agricultural landscapes, where its delicate blooms create a carpet-like effect during peak flowering.
The plant's most striking features include erect stems that rise up to 20 inches in height, adorned with a coating of fine, silvery hairs that catch the sunlight. These stems support intricately divided leaves arranged in an alternate pattern, each one featuring a feathery appearance that adds to the plant's overall texture.
During the late spring and early summer months, the flowers emerge like miniature suns, with their characteristic ray flowers forming perfect circles around golden centers. The plant's reproductive structures develop into grooved, dark brown achenes, which contribute to its distinctive silhouette even after the flowering period has ended.
This combination of features makes corn chamomile easily distinguishable from similar species in the field.
Flowering Season
During late spring and early summer, Anthemis arvensis bursts into bloom, producing an abundance of daisy-like flowers that attract diverse pollinators to agricultural landscapes. The flowering heads, measuring approximately 3/4 inch in diameter, showcase distinctive white ray flowers encircling a prominent yellow center disk.
Chamomile is a native species that has adapted its flowering period to coincide with ideal growing conditions, thriving in well-drained soils and full sunlight.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizes the plant's significant reproductive capacity during its blooming season, as each flower head can generate numerous viable seeds. The timing of its flowering phase is particularly remarkable, as it allows the plant to maximize pollinator activity when temperatures are most favorable.
Each flower's ray petals create an eye-catching display that stands out against the branched stems, making it easily identifiable during its peak blooming period. This strategic timing guarantees successful seed production and dispersal, contributing to the species' ability to maintain stable populations across its growing range.
Growing Requirements

Corn chamomile flourishes in full sunlight and requires well-drained soil conditions, making it particularly suited to agricultural landscapes and disturbed areas where soil has been recently worked.
The plant's adaptable nature allows it to thrive in both moist and relatively dry soil conditions, though it shows ideal growth in moderately fertile, loamy soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
Its tolerance for varying temperatures and ability to complete its lifecycle within a single growing season enables successful cultivation across diverse climatic zones, from early spring through late summer.
Light
Like many sun-loving plants, Anthemis arvensis seeks out bright, open environments to reach its full potential. The plant's light adaptation strategies have evolved to maximize photosynthetic efficiency in areas with abundant sunlight exposure, making it particularly well-suited to meadows and disturbed landscapes where competition for light is minimal.
The sunlight exposure effects on corn chamomile are most evident during its critical growing phases, particularly as the days lengthen in late spring. While the plant demonstrates some adaptability to varying light conditions, ideal lighting conditions consistently include full sun exposure, which drives robust flowering and successful seed production.
In shaded environments, the plant's growth becomes significantly compromised, affecting its ability to compete effectively with surrounding vegetation.
The species' preference for well-lit habitats shapes its distribution patterns, with the highest concentrations found along sunny roadsides and open fields. This characteristic alignment between the plant's light requirements and its natural habitat selection has contributed remarkably to its success as a colonizer of disturbed, sun-drenched environments.
Soil
The soil requirements of Anthemis arvensis reflect its adaptable nature as an agricultural colonizer. This resilient plant demonstrates remarkable flexibility across various soil types, though it shows a particular affinity for well-drained environments that maintain moderate soil moisture levels.
One of the most distinctive characteristics of corn chamomile is its strong association with soil disturbance, which serves as a catalyst for its successful establishment and spread. In areas where agricultural activities or natural processes have disrupted the soil structure, the plant's persistent seeds find ideal conditions for germination and subsequent growth.
The species' ability to thrive in compacted and recently altered soils makes it particularly successful in cultivated fields and disturbed landscapes.
Nutrient-rich agricultural soils provide an especially conducive environment for corn chamomile's development, often leading to the formation of dense populations. The plant's capacity to adapt to varying soil conditions, from recently tilled fields to partially compacted areas, showcases its evolutionary success as an agricultural companion species, though this adaptability can sometimes position it as an unwanted agricultural competitor.
Water
Throughout its growing cycle, Anthemis arvensis demonstrates considerable flexibility in water requirements while maintaining a clear preference for well-drained conditions. The plant's exceptional environmental adaptability allows it to establish itself across diverse moisture levels, though it actively avoids waterlogged environments that could compromise root health.
This resilient herb has developed sophisticated moisture management strategies that enable it to thrive in disturbed habitats where water availability can be unpredictable.
During the critical germination phase, consistent moisture plays a pivotal role in germination success, supporting the development of robust seedlings that will mature into hardy plants.
As the growing season progresses into the flowering period between late spring and early summer, adequate water intake becomes particularly important for sustaining bloom production and overall plant vigor.
The species' remarkable ability to persist in soil banks for more than ten years highlights its capacity to endure varying moisture conditions across extended periods. This long-term survival mechanism reflects the plant's evolutionary adaptation to different hydrological cycles, allowing it to emerge and flourish when conditions become favorable.
Temperature
Adaptable to diverse thermal conditions, Anthemis arvensis flourishes in moderate climates where temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) during its primary growing season. This remarkable climate adaptability enables the plant to establish itself successfully across various geographical regions, from temperate zones to slightly warmer environments.
The species demonstrates impressive frost resilience, surviving brief cold spells that would typically damage less hardy plants. As a winter annual, it can germinate and develop even during cooler months, though its growth rate naturally slows during these periods.
Temperature effects on corn chamomile's development are particularly evident in its response to environmental stress, where extreme conditions may impact flowering and seed production.
In agricultural settings, the plant's thermal tolerance contributes greatly to its persistence as a successful weed species. It thrives in disturbed soils where temperature fluctuations are common, maintaining steady growth when provided with well-drained conditions and consistent moisture levels.
This environmental plasticity, combined with its ability to withstand temperature variations, makes corn chamomile a remarkably resilient plant in both cultivated and natural habitats.
Pollinator Criteria
Corn chamomile's bright white petals and yellow centers act as natural beacons, drawing a diverse array of pollinators throughout its late spring to early summer blooming period.
Bees and butterflies are particularly attracted to the plant's abundant nectar-rich flowers, which offer essential sustenance during key foraging months.
The successful pollination of corn chamomile leads to prolific seed production, with the resulting seeds remaining viable in the soil for more than ten years, ensuring the plant's continued role as a valuable pollinator resource.
Attracted Pollinators
The bright white and yellow blooms of Anthemis arvensis serve as natural magnets for various pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies. These industrious visitors demonstrate clear pollinator preferences, drawn to the plant's prominent ray flowers that create an inviting landing platform around the golden center.
The extended flowering season, which stretches from early spring through late summer, guarantees consistent nectar availability for these essential creatures.
The plant's architecture particularly excels in flower accessibility, featuring an open-faced structure that accommodates pollinators of different sizes and feeding strategies. This thoughtful design allows insects to efficiently gather resources while inadvertently facilitating cross-pollination.
Unlike some flowering plants that rely heavily on fragrance to attract visitors, corn chamomile's success in pollinator attraction stems primarily from its visual appeal and practical feeding platform.
The plant's robust seed production creates a self-perpetuating cycle, establishing reliable pollinator habitats that persist through successive growing seasons.
This reproductive strategy guarantees that future generations of pollinators will continue to find sustenance among these hardy flowers, contributing to the broader ecological network of plant-pollinator relationships.
Pollination Method
Successful pollination of Anthemis arvensis relies heavily on diurnal insect visitors, particularly bees and butterflies that respond to its strong visual signals. The flower structure plays a critical role in this process, with its distinctive yellow disk center surrounded by pristine white ray petals serving as an efficient landing platform for visiting pollinators.
The plant's extended flowering period, which spans several months from early spring through late summer, maximizes pollination benefits by providing consistent nectar resources for its insect partners.
As pollinators move between flowers collecting nectar, they transfer pollen grains from one plant to another, facilitating cross-pollination that guarantees genetic diversity within the species. This intricate relationship leads to robust seed production, with each successfully pollinated flower capable of generating numerous viable seeds that can remain dormant in the soil for up to fifteen years.
The plant's ability to attract multiple pollinator species throughout its blooming season not only guarantees its own reproduction but also contributes to the broader ecological network by supporting local pollinator populations in agricultural and disturbed landscapes.
Care & Maintenance

Corn chamomile's maintenance requirements reflect its adaptable nature, with the plant flourishing in well-drained soil and demanding minimal intervention once established.
Regular monitoring proves essential to prevent unwanted spread, as this resilient plant can quickly establish colonies in disturbed areas and compete with neighboring vegetation.
While corn chamomile pairs naturally with other drought-tolerant species, gardeners should maintain adequate spacing between plantings and implement strategic barriers to control its enthusiastic growth patterns.
Planting Tips
Growing corn chamomile successfully requires careful attention to location and soil conditions. When selecting a planting site, gardeners should prioritize well-drained soils in areas that receive abundant sunlight throughout the day, as these conditions closely mirror the plant's natural habitat preferences.
Effective planting techniques begin with proper soil preparation, which involves light tilling to create the disturbed soil environment that promotes ideal seed germination. While preparing the growing area, it's essential to space the seeds adequately, allowing room for the plants' eventual spread and preventing overcrowding.
During the establishment phase, consistent moisture management becomes important, particularly in periods of limited rainfall. Growth monitoring plays a significant role in maintaining healthy corn chamomile populations, as these vigorous plants can quickly colonize available space.
Gardeners should time their planting to coincide with the late spring season, ensuring the plants reach their flowering stage during ideal environmental conditions. This strategic timing, combined with appropriate spacing and regular observation, helps create a balanced growing environment where corn chamomile can thrive without becoming overly aggressive.
Ongoing Care
When caring for established corn chamomile plants, regular monitoring becomes essential to prevent unwanted spread while maintaining their ornamental value.
Population monitoring helps assess the plant's growth patterns and potential ecological impact on surrounding vegetation, ensuring timely intervention when necessary.
Effective management strategies include implementing both preventive and active control measures throughout the growing season.
Manual removal proves most successful before the blooming stage, while targeted herbicide applications can be administered during the rosette to pre-bloom period for best results.
In agricultural settings, incorporating crop rotation techniques and introducing competitive plant species helps minimize corn chamomile's presence in cultivated areas.
Special attention should be paid to disturbed areas within the landscape, as these locations often serve as prime colonization sites for corn chamomile.
Suggested Companions
Selecting appropriate companion plants for corn chamomile requires careful consideration of both ecological balance and growth habits. When implementing companion planting strategies, it's crucial to choose species that can coexist without being overwhelmed by corn chamomile's vigorous growth patterns and extensive seed production.
Several sun-loving annuals and perennials can create a harmonious relationship with corn chamomile while promoting biodiversity enhancement in the garden ecosystem. Plants that share similar soil preferences and sunlight requirements make ideal companions, though they should possess strong establishment capabilities to prevent being outcompeted.
To maintain soil health and create a balanced environment, gardeners can introduce native wildflowers and herbs that naturally occur in disturbed habitats.
The key to successful companionship lies in regular monitoring and management of corn chamomile's spread. Strategic placement of companion plants, combined with timely removal of excessive corn chamomile growth, helps create a diverse and sustainable planting arrangement.
This approach guarantees that both corn chamomile and its companions can thrive while contributing to the overall health and stability of the garden ecosystem.
What Are the Key Differences Between Common Poppy and Corn Chamomile in Their Growth and Uses?
The common poppy and corn chamomile differ in growth patterns and uses. The common poppy plant detailed overview highlights its preference for disturbed soils, striking red blooms, and use in cosmetics and medicines, while corn chamomile thrives in fields, showcasing daisy-like flowers often used for natural pest control and herbal remedies.
Common Issues
While corn chamomile typically displays robust growth, it's susceptible to fungal infections like powdery mildew and rust during particularly humid conditions.
Root rot can emerge in waterlogged soils, manifesting through wilting leaves and stunted development, though these issues rarely prove fatal to the hardy plant.
Gardeners can manage these challenges through proper spacing to improve air circulation, maintaining well-draining soil conditions, and applying fungicides when necessary, though chemical interventions should be approached with caution given the plant's resilient nature.
Pests/Diseases
Concerning pests and diseases, corn chamomile stands out as a remarkably resilient plant. Its natural defense mechanisms and robust constitution make it particularly resistant to many common agricultural afflictions, allowing for straightforward pest management strategies in most growing conditions.
While the plant demonstrates impressive hardiness, it isn't entirely immune to all challenges. Aphids occasionally colonize corn chamomile, though their presence can be effectively managed through regular monitoring and maintenance of surrounding vegetation. The plant's ability to attract beneficial insects often creates a natural balance, helping to keep potential pest populations in check without requiring extensive intervention.
In particularly humid conditions, corn chamomile may develop fungal resistance techniques to combat issues like powdery mildew, especially when plants are grown too closely together. However, these occurrences are relatively rare and can be prevented through proper spacing and air circulation.
The plant's overall resistance to diseases means that growers rarely need to implement intensive treatment protocols, making it an exceptionally low-maintenance addition to both agricultural settings and ornamental gardens.
Solutions
Managing corn chamomile effectively requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses both prevention and active control measures in agricultural settings. Successful management strategies rely heavily on timely herbicide application during essential growth stages, particularly when the plant is most vulnerable between its rosette and pre-bloom phases.
While manual removal remains a viable option for smaller infestations, it's particularly labor-intensive and demands consistent effort to prevent the plant's persistent spread. Regular field monitoring serves as a cornerstone of effective management, allowing farmers and land managers to identify and respond to new growth before it becomes established.
The plant's remarkable ability to produce long-lasting seeds that can remain viable in soil for more than ten years makes early intervention essential for long-term control. Understanding corn chamomile's ecological impact has become increasingly important, as its invasive nature can greatly disrupt native plant communities.
Summary

Corn chamomile stands as a notable European plant that made its way to North America in the late 1800s.
Where it's since established itself as a significant invasive species.