Anthemis arvensis
Corn chamomile
(c) Kostas Zontanos, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kostas Zontanos · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Anthemis arvensis (Corn chamomile) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by (A. cotula). Key differences: size, scent, leaf division fineness.
Corn chamomile is a naturalized annual herb found in northern coastal California, central Sierra Nevada, and the Klamath Ranges in disturbed areas and fields at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces white ray flowers with yellow disk centers in heads approximately 6 to 13 millimeters wide. Growing with decumbent or ascending stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it can occasionally root at its nodes. Its leaves are 15 to 35 millimeters long, finely divided with 1 to 2 levels of pinnate lobes ending in narrow linear or triangular segments. The fruit is small, measuring 1.7 to 2 millimeters long with no notable pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (A. cotula). Key differences: size, scent, leaf division fineness
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Escape from cultivation in disturbed areas, fields
Elevation: < 1500 m
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Anthemis arvensis blooms Mar-Apr.
How to tell it apart
vs Matricaria: Matricaria has a domed receptacle center; Anthemis has chaffy scales among disk flowers.; vs Chamaemelum: Chamaemelum is perennial with sweet apple scent; Anthemis is annual with unpleasant odor.; vs Tanacetum: Tanacetum flowers are button-like without white rays; Anthemis has white-rayed daisy flowers.; vs Argyranthemum: Argyranthemum is woody-based with less finely divided leaves; Anthemis is herbaceous annual.; vs Bellis: Bellis has simple spoon-shaped basal leaves; Anthemis has finely divided feathery leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anthemis arvensis native to California?
No. Anthemis arvensis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Anthemis arvensis bloom?
Anthemis arvensis blooms Mar-Apr.
What plant family does Anthemis arvensis belong to?
Anthemis arvensis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Anthemis.
What habitat does Anthemis arvensis grow in?
Anthemis arvensis grows in Uncommon. Escape from cultivation in disturbed areas, fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.