[3][4] Chamaemelum nobile has daisy-like white flowers and procumbent stems; the leaves are alternate, bipinnate, finely dissected, and downy to glabrous.

[6] The word chamomile and the genus name Chamaemelum derive from the Greek χαμαίμηλον (chamaimēlon), "earth-apple",[7] from χαμαί (chamai), "on the ground" + μήλον (mēlon), "apple", so-called because of the apple-like scent of the plant.

The plant obtained the name "nobile" (Latin "noble" NEU)[8] because of its putative therapeutic properties, which were believed to be better than those of the German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.).

Its native range includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria and the Azores.

[11] In Great Britain, it grows wild in Southern England and portions of Wales – primarily in Cornwall, Dartmoor, the New Forest and the Welsh coastline[12] – with populations found north of Derbyshire considered to be naturalised.

This decline in the Chamaemelum nobile population was caused by the drainage of wet grasslands, decrease in grazing, and the reduction of pasture that was used as arable fields.

[3][4][15] Chamomile essential oil contains sesquiterpenes, terpene lactones (including the blue compound chamazulene), acetylene derivatives, and polyphenols, which contribute to the fragrance and may be extracted individually.

Chamomile seats, smaller raised areas of fragrant lawn meant to be sat upon, were also popular, and are still used as garden features.

[3] Alternative medicine practices approved in Germany include use of chamomile as a topical medication or inhalant for mouth and respiratory tract irritations.