Oxeye Daisies
As part of the countdown to TAFU’s Local Wildlife Day on the 11th of July – Species no. 13.
Stay tuned – 30 more days and 30 more species until then!
Oxeye Daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare) is a robust perennial plant native to Europe and Asia, now widely naturalised in North America. Their beautiful white, daisy-like flowers bloom from late spring to autumn. These flowers can grow up to 3 feet tall and are often found in meadows, fields, roadsides, and disturbed soils. They have spoon-shaped basal leaves and toothed, clasping leaves along its stems.
Oxeye Daisies spread via seeds, rhizomes, and adventitious roots, forming dense mats that can out-compete native plants. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds, which remain viable for many years, making the daisy both resilient and invasive in some areas. The plant thrives in full sun and can tolerate a variety of soil types, from rich to poor and well-drained to moderately dry conditions.
Oxeye Daisies are not only visually appealing but also beneficial for pollinators, providing nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies. Despite their beauty, managing their spread is important in some regions to prevent them from becoming invasive and disrupting local ecosystems. Though they are very resilient, they play an important role in their native ecosystems and hence it is important we protect their ecosystem and them too.
