Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 890 (1753).

Derivation: Late Latin matrix, womb; caries, decay; as a species was used by herbalists to treat infections of the uterus.

Synonymy: Chamomilla Gray, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2:454 (1821).

Common name: None

Description:
Annual herbs; leaves cauline, alternate, finely dissected.

Capitula terminal on leafy stems or pedunculate in corymbs, radiate and heterogamous or discoid and homogamous; involucres hemispherical; bracts herbaceous with scarious margins, in 2 subequal series; receptacle steeply conical, naked; ray florets female, uniseriate or absent, ligulate, white; style branches linear with papillose apices; disk florets tubular, 4- or 5-merous, bisexual, fertile; corolla bulbous below, campanulate above; anthers obtuse at the base with ovate apical appendages; style branches broadly linear, truncate with papillose apices.

Achenes all asymmetrical, incurved, slightly compressed, fibbed, glabrous; pappus small, scarious.

Distribution:  About 20 species native to the north temperate zone.

Biology: No text

Key to Species:

1. Capitula discoid	M. matricarioides 1.
1. Capitula radiate	M. recutita 2.

Author: Not yet available