Anthemis tinctoria (golden marguerite, "Koyakamitsure")

Japanese name: コウヤカミツレ
Scientific name: Anthemis tinctoria

[Overview]
A perennial 20–80 cm tall.
The stem branches into several.
As the plant ages it branches more and forms clumps.
The leaves are alternate and deeply pinnately divided.
A flower head about 3 cm across is borne at the stem tip; both the central tubular florets and the surrounding ray florets are yellow.
The receptacle is obconical, and its surface bears many needle-like, scale-like bracts.

[Uses]
The flowers are used medicinally and also as a yellow dye.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
It dislikes acidic soil.
In its native range it grows in mountains, fields and by roadsides, so it is hardy, cold-tolerant and resistant to drought, and grows well if left alone when conditions suit it.
Excess moisture causes root rot, so for potted plants water thoroughly after the soil has dried, and for plants in the ground rainfall is sufficient.
No fertilizer is particularly needed if base fertilizer is applied.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
Although it bears the name Kamitsure, it has almost none of the fragrance of other Kamitsure plants, so it is used for plant dyeing and for ornament.

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