Overview
Tripleurospermum inodorum is a bushy annual or short-lived perennial in the daisy family, growing 6-32 inches (15-80 cm) tall on branching, often sprawling stems. The leaves are finely divided two or three times into thread-like segments, giving a feathery look, and are scentless when crushed, unlike the strong-smelling mayweeds it resembles. From early summer into autumn it produces many daisy-like flower heads 1-1.6 inches (2.5-4 cm) across, with white ray florets around a domed yellow center. The solid, dome-shaped receptacle inside the flower head distinguishes it from scented mayweed, which has a hollow receptacle. A single plant can set tens of thousands of seeds, and it is a frequent weed of arable fields, gardens, roadsides, and waste ground across its range. Native to Europe and western Asia, it has naturalized throughout North America and other temperate regions. It germinates in flushes through the season, so seedlings of several ages are often present at once. The long flowering period draws bees and hoverflies, but the heavy seed production lets it spread readily as a weed.
Native Range
Native to Europe and western Asia, on arable land, roadsides, waste ground, and disturbed soils. It has naturalized across North America and other temperate regions as a weed of crops and open ground.Suggested Uses
Rarely grown deliberately; it appears mainly as a weed of crops, gardens, and disturbed ground. Its long-blooming daisy flowers have some value to pollinators in field margins and rough areas. It is generally controlled rather than cultivated because of its heavy self-seeding.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'8"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Blooms over a long season from early summer into autumn, generally June through October. The white daisy flowers open continuously and draw bees, hoverflies, and small butterflies. Seed heads ripen alongside new flowers, releasing large numbers of seeds through the season.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White rays with a yellow centerFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun on most soils, doing well on fertile, disturbed, and cultivated ground with a pH of about 5.5 to 7.5. Tolerates drought, poor soil, and compaction, germinating wherever bare ground is exposed. It completes its life cycle quickly and self-sows heavily, so it persists without any care. As an arable weed it is usually controlled by cultivation or removal before the seed sets. It has no special water or feeding needs.Pruning
No pruning applies to this short-lived plant. Cutting or pulling plants before the flowers set seed is the main way to limit its spread. Repeated removal of seedlings reduces the seed bank over time.✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow