Pineapple weed, also known by the names 'Wild Chamomile' and 'Disc Mayweed' is a common sight across Ireland. It has little orb shaped, yellow flowers made up of lots of stamens which look a lot like little pineapples. Its leaves are delicate feathery fronds which when crushed give off a strong pineapple scent.
It is originally native to Northeast Asia and North America spreading across Europe and around the world by way of wheels and shoes. It drops its seeds into mud and clings on to whoever or whatever passes over it. This is why it is so common to see tracks of it on road verges and paths. With this method it has been hugely successful and there isn't a corner of the world that it cannot be found now.
It was first documented in Dublin in 1894 which given its method of dispersal is no surprise since Dublin would have been the main travel and trade hub at the time.
A weed by name it may be but it also has a number of uses for any enthusiastic foragers out there. The whole plant is actually edible and can be prepared a number of ways.
Salads- Fresh leaves and flower heads can be tossed into a salad. It's best to pick the young leaves as the older ones can be a little bitter.
Jams and Jelly- When making with your main fruit (Blackcurrant or Apple for example) try infusing some Pineapple Weed flower heads and leaves with them to give it a gentle pineapple twist.
Tea- Pineapple Weed is closely related to Chamomile and shares some of the same calming qualities. To make a tea simply gather a handful of flower heads and steep them in a cup of hot water for ten minutes. Adding a little honey or lemon can add to its calming benefits.
Salve- It has excellent anti-inflammatory properties and can be used on bites, stings and rashes. To do this mash up some seed heads along with a little hot water and place in a cloth to put on the ailment.
Mosquito Repellent- Its oil is an incredibly effective mosquito repellent that in studies has been as effective as some of the top brand chemical repellents. Which given its much milder scent to us could be a welcome find!
As with all foraging, safety must be a priority. So when looking for and harvesting be sure to do it in areas where you know that no chemicals have been sprayed and wash whatever you harvest very well before consuming. Be sure you know exactly what you are looking for and if you are not sure consult with someone who does.
In gardening Pineapple Weed usually doesn't cause too much bother. It can be easily removed by hand weeding as the roots are never too deep and tilling the soil can actually upset its growth as it much prefers compacted soil, which is probably why it does so well in neglected areas.
So next time you are in the garden or out for a walk see if you can spot Pineapple Weed and even if you aren't going to forage it, crush a little of its leaf and see if you can smell Pineapple!
