The "stinking chamomile"
Anthemis cotula is so-named for its resemblance to the true chamomile plant,
Anthemis nobilis; both have branching upright stems each topped by a single large flower head, although the "stinking chamomile" is distinguished by lacking the membraneous scales underneath the flowers of the true chamomile, as well as by its characteristic strong odor. The leaves of
Anthemis cotula have a similar appearance to those of the fennel plant (
Foeniculum vulgare), from which the name "Dog's Fennel" is derived.{{cite web | url = http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chammo49.html#sti | title = Chamomile Stinking | access-date = 2008-06-17 | author = M. Grieve | author-link = Maud Grieve | year = 1931 | work = A Modern Herbal | publisher = © Copyright Protected 1995-2008 Botanical.com
Anthemis cotula is an
annual glandular plant with a harsh taste and an acrid smell. Its height varies from . ;Leaves: The
leaves of the plant sometimes have very fine and soft hairs on the upper surface, although the plant is mostly hairless. There is no leaf stalk; leaves grow immediately from the stems. The leaves are
pinnate in shape, with many extremely thin lobes, and can be around long. ;Flowers: Each stem is topped by a single
flower head which is usually around in diameter. The flower head is encompassed by between 10 and 18 white ray
florets, each with a three-toothed shape; the florets tend to curve downwards around the edges and may occasionally have
pistils, although these do not produce
fruit. Beneath the flower proper, oval
bracts of the plant form an
involucre, with soft hairs on each; further bracts are bristled and sit at right angles to the flowers. ;Fruits: The fruits are
achenes (with no
pappus). They are wrinkled, ribbed with ten ridges, and have small glandular bumps across the surface. ==Toxicity==