oxeye daisy

Leucanthemum vulgare

The oxeye daisy is a cheerful flower with white petals and a bright yellow center. It grows in fields and gardens, bringing smiles to everyone who sees it!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The oxeye daisy has classic white petals radiating around a bright yellow, button-like center. Its slender stems bear a single flower, standing tall above its lobed, dark green basal leaves. It often forms cheerful clusters.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusLeucanthemum

oxeye daisy

Interesting facts

Its scientific name, Leucanthemum, means 'white flower' in Greek.

Making 'daisy chains' from its stems is a fun, ancient tradition for kids!

Often seen as a symbol of innocence and new beginnings in folklore.

The yellow center is actually hundreds of tiny individual flowers, called florets!

Special abilities

Oxeye daisy can produce thousands of tiny seeds, helping it rapidly colonize open fields and spread its cheerful blooms far and wide.

Oxeye daisy has creeping rhizomes that help it spread underground, forming dense patches to claim its territory.

Oxeye daisy has a prominent yellow disk and white ray florets, acting as a clear landing strip to attract many insect pollinators.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-90 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 2-6 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to late summer
Is Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

collects nectar and pollen from its blooms

eaten by

Domestic sheep

Ovis aries

grazes on its leaves and shoots in pastures

eats

Tarnished plant bug

Lygus lineolaris

feeds on flower heads and developing seeds

Traits

Flowering

These are the plants that produce beautiful blossoms, attracting pollinators and adding splashes of color to our world. Each flower is a tiny marvel!

Summer Blooming

Enjoy the sunny days with these vibrant plants that show off their stunning flowers all through the warmest months, adding color to the long summer days.

Fragrant Flower

Discover flowers that release delightful scents into the air, enchanting our senses and attracting helpful insects. Take a moment to enjoy their sweet perfume!

Edible

Find plants that are safe and delicious to eat, offering tasty treats and nourishment from nature's pantry. Always check with an adult before tasting!

Grassland

These wide-open spaces are covered in grasses, often home to grazing animals and incredible predators! Experience the vastness of the plains.

Pollinator Magnet

Discover plants that are irresistible to our pollinator friends! These beauties are super attractive to bees, butterflies, and other helpful creatures, creating a buzzing hub of activity.