Family

Composite.

Colour

White, centre yellow.

Odour

Strongly scented.

Range

Mostly east.

Time of Bloom

Late summer.

Flower-heads: small; composed of ray and disk flowers similar to those of the white daisy. The disk-flowers arranged in a more decided cone and the twice pinnately-divided leaves mark the difference by which it may be known.

"Bring down the bag of chamomile leaves and put some to steep on the stove, Lambie, and trust me to know what will bring the roses back to your cheeks when the spring air makes you limpid and weak."

In some such phrase the virtues of chamomile have been sung throughout many generations. It has also been described by an old writer as the plant physician; for a sick plant, when placed near it, will frequently recover. Insects, however, cannot abide it, in either a dried or powdered form; and nightmare will not enter the portal when a piece of it is laid on the pillow beside a troubled sleeper.

It is a bold little plant and often ventures even into the ruts made by heavy wagons in country roads.