Matricaria discoidea, commonly known as pineapple weed and disc mayweed is an annual plant native to North America and Northeast Asia but which has become a cosmopolitan weed. It is in the family Asteraceae. The flowers exude a chamomile/pineapple aroma when crushed. They are edible and have been used in salads (although they may become bitter by the time the plant blooms) and to make herbal tea. Pineapple weed has been used for medicinal purposes, including for relief of gastrointestinal upset, infected sores, fevers, and postpartum anemia.
Identification: This plant is often mistaken for chamomile. In fact, it is a close sister plant to chamomile (M. chamomile). Chamomile is quite rare on the east side of the Rocky mountains (where pineapple weed is quite common). Pineapple weed is an annual, 10 - 40 cm tall with a non-rayed composite flower head. Chamomile can be distinguished from this plant by its white rays. Pineapple looks more like commercial chamomile in a package when all of its white rays have dried up and fallen off. It actually does have a pineapple scent. Its leaves are pinnate.
Pineapple weed is found in almost all waste areas. It can be seen growing in cracks in the sidewalk in the centre of most towns and along many a backwood s dirt road.
Pineapple weed is tasty as finger food or in salads. As with chamomile, pineapple weed is very good as a tea. In fact, I prefer it because it is sweeter. The Blackfoot Indians called it mat-o-at-sin, using the dried plant as a perfume. They often put it in buckskin bags for this very purpose. It was also used as an insect repellent. As a treatment for diarrhea, the whole plant was decocted. It is similar to chamomile in many of its medicinal qualities but much milder. It is used for
stomachaches, flatulence, as a mild relaxant and for colds and menstrual problems. Externally it can be used for itching and sores.
Apparently, though I have not tried this myself, it seems to be QUITE psychoactive when smoked, especially when potentiated by cannabis.
