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The common chamomile and the scentless mayweed revisited
Author(s) -
Hansen Hans V.,
Christensen Knud Ib
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
taxon
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1996-8175
pISSN - 0040-0262
DOI - 10.1002/tax.581024
Subject(s) - matricaria chamomilla , nomenclature , biology , botany , correct name , traditional medicine , medicine , taxonomy (biology)
The nomenclature of common chamomile, sea mayweed and scentless mayweed is discussed with reference to nomenclatural history, typifications, and the provisions of the ICBN . During the period 1753–1763, Linnaeus managed to mess up the naming of common chamomile, sea mayweed, and scentless mayweed, although he must have been very familiar with these species. Originally, Linnaeus intended to name the scentless mayweed as Matricaria chamomilla , the common chamomile as M. recutita , and the sea mayweed as M. maritima , but later he referred the common chamomile to M. suaveolens , the scentless mayweed to M. inodora , and the sea mayweed to M. inodora var. maritima . The major problem in Linnaeus's classification of the European Matricaria is his treatment of the common chamomile and the scentless mayweed. Matricaria chamomilla fits the scentless mayweed according to the original description, while the lectotype, Herb. Clifford 415, although uncharacteristic, is referable to common chamomile.