Cota tinctoria (L.) J.Gay

Biennial to perennial herb to c. 60 cm high, with odour not known, moderately hairy. Leaves to c. 7 cm long, 1-or sub-2-pinnatisect. Capitulum 20–40 mm diam.; peduncle with appressed hairs at anthesis; involucre 5–6 mm long, densely hairy; inner bracts with hyaline extension c. 1 mm long; paleae subtending all florets, narrowly lanceolate, c. 1 mm wide. Ray florets c. 15, female, fertile; ligule c. 10 mm long, golden-yellow. Disc floret corolla c. 3 mm long, swollen at base. Achenes obovoid, c. 2 mm long. Pappus a membranous corona.

Sunny slopes, rocks, railway tracks and walls, usually on limestone.

The source of Chamomile tea and also used as a yellow dye. A popular species in horticulture that appears to be only weakly naturalised.

Can be grown by cuttings, divisions or seedlings.