IDENTIFICATION
Provincial Noxious. Annual, biennial, or sometimes perennial. Flowering
from June to October, scentless chamomile is easily recognizable
by its numerous, small, daisy-like flowers. It has leaves which are finely
divided into thread-like segments and are odourless when crushed. Mature
plants are 15 -100 cm tall.
DAMAGE
Scentless chamomile reduces yields in hay fields, pastures, grain
fields, and other cultivated crops by forming dense stands. It is not
eaten by livestock. It can form near monocultures around ponds, streams,
and other frequently flooded areas, as it can germinate in flooding conditions.
HABITAT
Scentless chamomile grows from low to mid-elevations in British
Columbia and is found on dry shorelines, roadsides, fencelines, disturbed
areas, and perennial forage crops. It is present in all of the province's
agricultural regions and is a major concern in the Kootenay, Okanagan,
Peace River, and Thompson regions.
SPREAD
As seeds float readily on water, first infestations are often found around
watercourses. Seeds also disperse in contaminated crop seed, animal feed,
and on equipment.
