Cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) uptake by the plants of Matricaria chamomilla and relation to activities of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX, EC 1.11.1.7), catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) up to 7 days of exposure to 3, 60 and 120 microM Cd or Cu was studied. Cd content in rosettes was ca. 10-fold higher in comparison to Cu while Cu was preferentially accumulated in the roots. In line with this observation, increase of CAT and GPX activity was similar in rosettes of Cd and Cu-treated plants, indicating non-redox active properties of Cd and low Cu accumulation. In the roots, Cu showed strong pro-oxidant effect, as judged from extreme stimulation of CAT and GPX, followed by increase of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde. However, GPX seemed to be more important for alleviation of oxidative stress (ca. 93-250-fold higher activity in 120 microM Cu-treated roots). Cd had substantially lower influences and stimulated GR activity more than Cu. Activities of hydrogen peroxide-scavenging enzymes in relation to its accumulation are also discussed.