Simon, J.E., A.F. Chadwick and L.E. Craker. An Indexed Bibliography. The Scientific Literature on Selected Herbs, and Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of the Temperate Zone. All., and German chamomile, Matricaria recutita , are two different species of plant commonly known as the same herb. Formerly classified as Anthemis nobilis L. and called English or Russian chamomile, Roman chamomile is a creeping, herbaceous perennial native to western Europe and North Africa.
Roman chamomile is cultivated in Europe, especially in Belgium, France, and England.
German chamomile, Matricaria recutita L., is also known as matricaria, wild chamomile, Hungarian chamomile, and sweet false chamomile. Cultivated in Germany, Hungary, Russia, and several other European countries, German chamomile is native to Europe and western Asia and naturalized in North America. Seeded or transplanted into the field for cultivation, Roman chamomile requires full sun but will grow in most soils having good drainage. Cultivated from seed, German chamomile grows in poor, clay soils. With Roman chamomile, the flower heads are hand picked and dried at the height of bloom about five times each growing season.