Oxeye Daisy

BACKGROUND: This native of Europe survives in a wide range of environments. It is prevalent on poor soils, tolerates cold conditions, and survives drought well. Often found in meadows, roadsides, waste areas, grasslands, or overgrazed pastures.

OTHER COMMON NAMES:

DESCRIPTION: This creeping perennial, rhizomatous herb grows 1 to 3 feet tall. Leaves are lance-shaped with coarse teeth. Flowers range 1- 2.2 inches in diameter, and usually appear from June to August. The plant has a disagreeable odor if crushed. Although not toxic, it can give milk an off-flavor if consumed by dairy cattle. It grows in patches, and spreads vegetatively and by seed. Oxeye daisy’s coarse toothed-leaf margins differentiate it from members of the Aster genus, with which it is often confused.

CONTROL: Cultivation is effective. Maintaining a dense crop canopy is effective in preventing establishment. Several herbicides give good control.