Pineapple-weed: Matricaria matricarioides
![]() |
Weed Description: A summer or winter
annual with finely dissected leaves that emit a sweet "pineapple-like" odor when
crushed. Pineapple-weed is primarily a weed of landscapes, nurseries, and turfgrass,
but also occurs in compacted areas like gravel roads or walkways. Pineapple-weed is
found throughout the United States. Leaves: Individual leaves are arranged alternately along the stem and are from 1/2 to 2 inches long. Each leaf is hairless and divided into many narrow segments (1 to 2 mm wide) that give off a "pineapple-like" smell when crushed. |
| Stems: Smooth, hairless,
branched, reaching a maximum of 16 inches in height. Roots: A taproot with secondary fibrous roots. Flowers: One or several flowers are produced at the ends of the stems on short flower stalks (peduncles). Individual flowers are cone-shaped, from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. Flowers are greenish yellow in color. |
![]() |
![]() |
Fruit: An achene. Identifying Characteristics: Low-growing plants with finely divided foliage that gives off a pineapple smell when crushed. Pineapple-weed may be confused with young Mayweed Chamomile (Anthemis cotula) or Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) seedlings, however neither of these species emits a pineapple-like odor when crushed. Additionally, both mayweed chamomile and dogfennel grow much taller than pineapple-weed |