Weed of the Week

3-24-08

Oxeye Daisy, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum

                  

Photo credits: Brother Alfred Brousseau.  Courtesy of St. Mary's College of California.  Copywrite St. Mary's College of California for both photos.

 Characteristics:

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

Origin: Eurasia

Description:

• Erect perennial that spreads through rhizomes (root spread)

Stems:

• 10"-24" in height and sparsely hairy

Flowers:

• 1 1/2" wide solitary flowers with white rays and yellow disk flowers

Leaves:

• Basal leaves up to 5" long and leaves decrease in size as you go up the plant.

• Leaves have lobed margins

Fruit:

• Ten ribbed seed

Additional information:

A Eurasian escapee from cultivation and landscapes.  It spreads easily via the roots.  This is the reason it is so invasive and hard to control.  It flowers from June to August and can be found in meadows, roadsides, and waster places.  The mountain communities have more problems with this plant than we do on the plains.

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