This is not a very clear picture. I apologize for that. I couldn't find a better one. If I do, I'll post it later. I've looked at pics of both German and Roman and I still can't tell. This was just labelled chamomile when I bought it. It grew about a foot high.
Also, does anybody know if it sets seed? The heads are very hard when they dry. Like little rocks. If there are seeds in there, I can't tell.
Hi, German Chamomile is a bushy, upright annual that reseeds itself readily. It produces lots of flowers, so is most often used for tea. Roman Chamomile is a low, spreading, perennial ground cover. It doesn't flower much, but when it does the flowers are sent up on taller stems. The foliage is very fragrant. I'm growing the Roman in a sandy path this year and it's spreading beautifully. Seems to be able to handle some foot traffic and can be mowed. They both grow easily from seed. If the seed heads are mature you should be able to rub them between your fingers to release the tiny seed. I tried to look up whether or not the seed requires stratification to germinate. But, none of my references mention it under Chamomile. I usually store all the seed I've gathered from my flowers in the frig, or a very cool, dark place, for a few weeks until it's time to start them indoors. Out side, any seed that comes from plants that self sow can be planted either fall or spring. German Chamomile has always come back each year from seed for me all on it's own.
Thanks much, Jeane. This must be German, then. It didn't spread at all. But these seed heads, although very dry and obviously mature, could not be rubbed between my fingers. They are very hard. Maybe this is some kind of hybrid, although I've never seen mention of one.
Hi Gram-
thanks for identifying the differences between the two types. I bought a small pot of (what I now know is) Roman chamomile at the local nursery's end-of-season markdown sale. I have a grow light and some plants in my guestroom, so I repotted the plant and put it there with them. It is spreading in its pot and looks and smells beautiful -- and the guests sleep great!
jo
Also, roman looks like clover flowers and tastes bitter, not mild like the German you have~!
fernman23
ps: the German reseeds itself here, in my zone (9) in Las vegas, as long as it is getting lotsa water through a long period of Spring and Early Summer, so watch for lttle ones next year, the babies look like a brighter dill seedling.
:Darren
The flower heads of German chamomile feel hard,but rub between thumb & fingers & they fall apart into many tiny seeds.German is the tea chamomile.
In NY,it may not reseed.I'm in Z6 & it doesn't reseed next spring.It is an annual,& Roman is a perennial.
This message was edited Mar 17, 2008 10:53 AM
