Pineapple weed, a native species in parts of Asia and North America was first recorded growing in the wild in Britain in 1869. This resilient little plant with its feathery leaves soon became one of our fastest spreading “weeds.” It grows happily on compacted soil and its seeds are adept at hitching a ride on footwear and tyres - so look for it along the edge of footpaths, in lay-byes and the entrance to fields. You may have noticed it at the start of the footpath from Martin’s Croft across the field behind the school. The name refers not only to the resemblance of the flowers to tiny pineapples, but the lovely smell if you pause a minute to crush one in your hand. Each “pineapple” is composed of hundreds of tiny individual nectar producing flowers.
Also known as wild chamomile and rayless mayweed, it lacks the petal-like ray florets of its “cousins” but shares many of the nutritional and ancient medicinal uses of chamomile. The linked article from Countryfile has more information and some nice recipes, as well as an allergy caution.
A word of warning if foraging - be careful where you pick it. Avoid places with pollution from cars or risk of added “essence of dog wee” 😳