German chamomile

plant

Also known as: Matricaria chamomilla

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a plant in the aster family (Asteraceae) known for its daisylike appearance. It is one of the primary sources for chamomile tea, which is used for its tonic and antiseptic properties and in various herbal remedies. While other species, like Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), are also used for tea, German chamomile is a significant contributor. The plant is cultivated not only for medicinal purposes but also as a garden ornamental. Some plants in the Anthemis genus are also referred to as chamomile, often featuring yellow or white ray flowers.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

chamomile
…Roman, chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) or German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Several species are cultivated as garden ornamentals, especially golden marguerite, or yellow chamomile (Cota tinctoria).
Read More
…Roman, chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) or German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Several species are cultivated as garden ornamentals, especially golden marguerite, or yellow chamomile (Cota tinctoria).
Read More