I love showing this common weed to people. Pineapple weed is related to chamomile, which it resembles, except it looks like someone removed all of the petals from the flowers. I'm sure many of you have seen this plant because it grows in some of the worst soil, sometimes appearing in gravel or growing out of the cracks in pavement. Try to avoid the ones on very busy highways or near industry.
The best feature of pineapple weed is also the best method of identification. Pick off a small piece of the plant, with flowers attached and crush it in your fingers. It actually does smell like pineapple! Collect some of the flower heads, bring them home, and wash in a strainer. These can be used fresh, or to preserve them just air dry in a warm place, or quick dry in a warm (180 degrees F) oven for a couple of hours. Some people like to use the whole plant, but it can add a slight bitterness to the final product.
Steep 2 teaspoons of flower heads, or one whole small plant in hot water for 10 minutes and strain. Sweeten with honey if desired, and enjoy. I would imagine that it has similar properties to that of chamomile since it is closely related. If you really like pineapple weed tea, you can try to collect some of the seeds from the older matured flowers and grow them yourself. Careful though, as it is a weed and tends to spread easily. Remove the flowers before they drop their seeds, and reserve a few for the next planting.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-19-2008 @ 2:06PM
christopher said...
I've made tea from this my whole life and always thought it was chamomile (since that's what I was told). Thanks for the info! It really does grow in the worst of places which makes it hard to find some that you actually want to drink.
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6-19-2008 @ 7:01PM
Red Icculus said...
Where is this native to? I live in the Midwest and have never heard of this plant.
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6-19-2008 @ 7:11PM
Neil Goldstein said...
Most of the guides I've looked at say that it grows over most of the country. I found a site about Illinois wildflowers that showed a map of where the plant has been seen there. Not sure if that is where you are, but I hope that helps a bit. I hope you manage to find some!
http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/pineapple_weed.htm
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