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Introduction
Ox-eye daisy is a highly abundant introduced European species that is now found across continental North America. It is reported from all US states and all Canadian provinces, exclusive of Nunavut. In BC, it is found in all regions of the province in lowland, steppe and montane zones, from low elevation to a reported maximum of approximately 1800 m in forested sites (see table below for the BEC plot data for this species). Elsewhere it is reported from elevations up to 2000 m (Strother 2010). Ox-eye daisy is an easy to identify perennial rhizomatous member of the daisy family (Asteraceae). Plants are 10-30 (100) cm tall, with often spatulate-shaped basal leaves, and one to several simple or branched stems. Flowers are relatively large white 'daisies' that are solitary on each branch or stem. Each flowerhead can produce up to 200 seeds (Invasive.org 2010). This species can tolerate a range of soil types, and can grow in sun or partial shade. In June, when in flower, this species is very visible along roadsides, in pastures, and in other disturbed sites. In older publications, the scientific name used for this species is Chrysanthemum leucanthemum.
Species Information
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expanded illustration for this species.
General: Perennial herb from a creeping rhizome; stems erect, solitary to several, sparingly branched, usually glabrous, with a sage-like odour, 20-80 cm tall.
Leaves: Basal leaves alternate, egg-shaped to spoon-shaped, stalked, pinnately lobed or toothed, 4-15 cm long; stem leaves reduced and becoming unstalked and nearly entire upwards.
Flowers: Heads with ray and disk flowers, solitary at the ends of branches; involucres 7-11 mm tall; involucral bracts narrowly lanceolate, with a narrow, dark-brown submarginal area; ray flowers white, 12-20 mm long; disk flowers yellow.
Fruits: Achenes cylindric or nearly so, black, 10-ribbed; pappus lacking. vol1_6
Mesic to dry roadsides, pastures and waste places in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; common throughout BC S of 56degreeN; introduced from Eurasia.
The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range. (Updated August, 2013)
