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Species fact sheet Chamomile Chamaemelum nobile Chamomile is a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae). It is a ground-hugging, creeping, downy herb with finely divided glaucous-green leaves. The large daisy-like flowers with an outer ring of white ray florets surrounding a central yellow disk or cone are 18-25 mm across with each stem supporting one flower-head. The crushed leaves smell strongly of chamomile or (to some people) apple. Chamomile tea is used as a herbal remedy to treat fever, headaches, indigestion and to aid relaxation and sleep. © Bob Gibbbons / Plantlife Lifecycle Chamomile is a perennial, flowering from June to October. Habitat It is a species most frequently found in herb-rich, closelygrazed, mildly acidic grassland with a long continuity of traditional grazing. It is chiefly associated with commonland, village greens and coastal cliff pasture. Many of its sites are wet in the winter and they may support other rare plant species such as yellow centaury Cicendia filiformis. It prefers the mild climate of southern England where it is often found close to the coast. Distribution Chamomile distribution across Britain and Ireland The data used to create these maps has been provided under licence from the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) and accessed from the Society’s online distribution database. A native species formerly widely scattered through southern and central England. The species has declined dramatically – particularly across the northern and eastern parts of its range – and today is largely confined to the New Forest; the Thames Basin and Wealden heaths; commons on Purbeck; and Devon and Cornwall. Within the Dorset heathlands, a 90% decline was witnessed in the 60 year period from the 1930s. The species does, nevertheless, remain relatively abundant in certain areas, notably the New Forest, Dartmoor, the Lizard and the Cornish and Devon coasts. In Wales chamomile is restricted to a few localities; damp grassy-heaths on Gower and the Pembrokeshire coast, Anglesey and the Lleyn Peninsular. Chamomile does grow in south-west Ireland and is a native of Northern Ireland, although there are no recent records of native populations. Apart from introduced populations, chamomile is absent from Scotland. Species fact sheet Chamomile Chamaemelum nobile Habitat management for chamomile Traditionally chamomile grew on tightly-grazed village greens, pond edges and commons, especially where farmers raised geese and ducks. Conservation work for this species includes reinstating cattle and pony grazing where this practice has been discontinued and avoiding the use of artificial fertilisers and herbicides. Targeted scrub control can help rejuvenate populations as chamomile dislikes heavy shade. Little is known about the seed longevity of this species but there is some evidence that it can regenerate from a soil seed bank if the right germination conditions are present. In the absence of grazing, trampling and mowing can maintain populations – a number of those surviving in south-east England are found on tightly mown cricket pitches, and on garden lawns. Nevertheless, where grazing has been reinstated and the species still survives within a particular ecological unit, chamomile can re-colonise lost ground rapidly. Reverting pasture to heathland and restoration of extensive grazing on the Lizard heathlands during the 1970s and 1980s has seen a massive increase in some populations of chamomile, for example on Kynance Downs. On some coastal grasslands, chamomile populations can be maintained purely through the harshness of the conditions caused by salt spray, wind pruning/exposure and the thinness of soils restricting other vegetative cover. Chamomile traditionally grew on tightly-grazed village greens, pond edges and commons. Reinstating pony grazing can help create conditions for it to thrive. GB Status and rarity It is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ in The Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain 2005 because of the magnitude of its decline. Chamomile is considered to be a good indicator species for lowland acid grassland and heath mosaic habitat. Reasons for decline Local threats affect individual sites from large scale mineral extraction to small scale road and track improvements have the potential to destroy or adversely affect local populations. However, the principal threat remains the cessation or relaxation of traditional grazing by cattle and ponies with the consequent loss of the short turf required by this species. Agricultural improvement such as fertilising pasture, draining wet grassland, re-seeding with more vigorous grass varieties is also a significant threat. Conversion of some sites to arable irreparably destroys chamomile populations. Protection under the law This plant is included as a species “of principal importance for the purpose of conserving biodiversity” under Section 41 (England) of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Survey method Chamomile is a creeping clump forming perennial, and individual plants are difficult to distinguish. Expansion and contraction of clumps and changes in the extent of populations should be monitored. © John Spooner/Creative Commons BY-NC 14 Rollestone Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1DX. UK Tel: 01722 342730 [email protected] Funded by Natural England Speaking out for wild plants www.plantlife.org.uk Plantlife International - The Wild Plant Conservation Charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales, Charity Number: 1059559 Registered in Scotland, Charity Number: SC038951 Registered Company Number: 3166339. Registered in England and Wales.