Download Rangeland-Pasture Recommendations

ted with
le
Rangeland-Pasture Recommendations
Chamomile Identification and Management
Also Known as: scentless false mayweed, corn chamomile or false
chamomile
Scentless chamomile (Matricara perforata) is a native of Europe and was
introduced to the United States and Canada as a seed contaminant. It has become
naturalized in the U.S. and is now present in 37 states.
Scentless chamomile is an annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial that
reproduces by seed. The peak periods of germination are autumn and spring when
moisture is available. When seedlings emerge a dense mat is produced which can
quickly outcompete other native species.
A mature scentless chamomile plant is between 6 and 20 inches tall. The
leaves are alternate on the stem, 1 to 2 inches long, finely divided and fernlike and
odorless when crushed. The flowers are white in color, daisy-like and are solitary on
each stem. A yellow central disk is surrounded by the white petals. Flowering begins
in May and continues until a killing frost.
Habitat for scentless chamomile includes hayfields, pastures, roadsides,
stream banks and fence lines. It is most prevalent in disturbed soil. Scentless
chamomile thrives in high soil moisture and prefers bright light.
Mayweed chamomile (Anthemis cotula L.) is also known as stinking
chamomile and dog fennel. This plant shares its growth characteristics, habitat
requirements and mode of reproduction with Scentless and Corn chamomile. Mayweed
chamomiles most distinguishing characteristic is a strong unpleasant odor when the
foliage is crushed.
Corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) is also known as mayweed and
scentless chamomile. This plant is essentially identical to Scentless chamomile
and Mayweed chamomile. It has been identified very rarely in Colorado.
On the backside of this sheet are Scentless chamomile management
recommendations. If you have any questions or would like more information,
please contact the Weld County Public Works Department, Weed Division at
(970) 304-6496 ext 3770. Please visit our website www.weldweeds.org.
Recommended management methods:
Cultural – Establishment of selected, aggressive grasses can be an effective
cultural control of the chamomiles. Contact your local CSU Extension office or
Natural Resources Conservation Service office for seed mix recommendations.
Good grazing management will stimulate grass growth and keep pastures
healthy. Healthy pastures may be more resistant to chamomile invasion. Bare
spots caused by overgrazing are prime habitat for weed infestations.
Mechanical – Frequent shallow tillage can help exhaust the seed bank in nonnative areas. Mowing is not an effective tool for long term control as the plant
will prostrate itself (limit growth height to below the mower blades). In the
short-term, mowing will assist by reducing seed production. Hand pulling can
be effective on small infestations.
Biological – There is no biological control available for Scentless chamomile.
Herbicides – The following are recommendations for herbicides that can be
applied to range and pasturelands. Optimum results occur when the plants have
recently received moisture and are actively growing. Always read, understand,
and follow label directions. The herbicide label is the LAW!
Herbicide
Rate
Application Timing/Comments
Escort XP
0.33 oz product/ac
Telar
0.33 oz product /ac
Milestone
7 oz/ac
Apply when plant is in rosette to bolting growth stage. (Spring
to early summer)
May be applied near or under trees..
Add non-ionic surfactant @ 0.32 oz/gal water or
1 qt/100 gal water.
Apply when plant is in rosette to bolting growth stage. (Spring
to early summer)
May be applied near or under trees..
Add non-ionic surfactant @ 0.32 oz/gal water or
1 qt/100 gal water.
Apply when plant is in rosette growth stage. (Spring to early
summer)
May be applied near or under trees and to the waters edge.
Add non-ionic surfactant @ 0.32 oz/gal water or
1 qt/100 gal water.
Scentless
Chamomile
----------------White Aster
Photo’s courtesy of: Ann Larson and Irene Shonle.