Tripleurospermum maritimum (syn. Matricaria maritima[1]) is a species of flowering plant in the aster family commonly known as false mayweed[2] or sea mayweed. It is found in many coastal areas of Northern Europe, including Scandinavia and Iceland, often growing in sand or amongst beach pebbles.
Tripleurospermum maritimum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Tripleurospermum |
Species: | T. maritimum
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Binomial name | |
Tripleurospermum maritimum (L.) W.D.J.Koch
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Synonyms | |
Matricaria maritima L. |
In Iceland, sea mayweed is known as Baldr's eyelashes (baldursbrá), though this name is given to all mayweed flowers in Norway and Sweden.
Description
editTripleurospermum maritimum is a herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial which grows with prostrate to erect stems to a height of 60 cm (24 in).[3] As with many maritime plants, it is a halophyte[4] with fleshy leaves which help it to survive in the harsh salty environment. The leaves are divided into short segments. When crushed, they yield a sweet smell similar to that of its relative chamomile, though much fainter.
The daisy-like flowers usually appear between July and September and can reach up to 50 mm across. The stems of the plant are frequently tinged red towards the base.
Habitat
editFound around the coast in the uppershore and waste ground.[5]
References
edit- ^ Tripleurospermum maritimum (L.) W.D.J. Koch subsp. maritimum false mayweed, Plants Database, usda.gov
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Tripleurospermum maritimum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ^ Clapham, A. R.; Tutin, T. G.; and Warburg, E. F.; 1968, Excursion Flora of the British Isles, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-04656-4
- ^ "Sea mayweed". wildflowerfinder.org. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
- ^ Hackney, P. ed. 1992. Stewart and Corry's Flora of the North-east of Ireland. Institute of Irish Studies, The Queen's University of Belfast ISBN 0-85389-446-9
External links
editMedia related to Tripleurospermum maritimum at Wikimedia Commons