Oxeye Daisy
Leucanthemum vulgare
Washington State Classification
Class C — Widespread, County-Selected Control
It aggressively invades fields where it forms dense populations and decreases plant species diversity.
Quick Reference
Identification
Growth Habit
Oxeye daisy is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches 1 to 3 feet tall. It has shallow, branched rhizomes and adventitious roots. The entire plant has a disagreeable odor when crushed.
Leaves
Leaves are alternate and lance shaped with coarse teeth or lobes. Basal leaves with petiole (leaf stalk) and stems leaves become sessile (no stalk) and smaller in size moving up the stem.
Flowers
Single flowerheads at the ends of stems have brown-edged, green bracts at their base. Each ‘daisy’ is a cluster of many flowers, the ray flowers are white and look like petals. The disk flowers are small and yellow and make up the center.
Fruit & Seeds
Seeds are small and have 10 small ridges.
Impact
It aggressively invades fields where it forms dense populations and decreases plant species diversity. Oxeye daisy decreases crop yields and is a weed of 13 crops of 40 countries. It is a particular problem in pastures. Oxeye daisy was changed from a Class B to a Class C noxious weed in 2013.
Ecology & Spread
Habitat
Oxeye daisy is found in grasslands, overgrazed pastures, waste areas, meadows, railroad rights-of-way and roadsides. Please click here to see a county level distribution map of oxeye daisy in Washington.
Spread Mechanisms
Reproduction
Oxeye daisy can spread both vegetatively and by seed.
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Control Methods
Mechanical
- In pastures, mowing as soon as the first flowers open can eliminate seed production. However, mowing may stimulate shoot production and subsequent flowering in areas with adequate growing seasons.