Oxeye Daisy

Biological Name:

Bellis perennis (Oxeye-Daisy)

Natural Habitat:

Oxeye-Daisy: The natural habitat of Oxeye-Daisy is in open, sunny areas such as meadows, fields, and along roadsides, in the eastern and central regions of North America.

Description:

Oxeye daisy is a type of flowering plant that is commonly found in fields and other grassy areas. It is a member of the Asteraceae family which also includes plants such as sunflowers and daisies. Oxeye daisy is an annual or perennial plant that produces small white or yellow flowers and clusters of seeds. The plant is often used as a cover crop to improve soil health and suppress weeds. It is also known for its ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including wet or dry soils. In some areas oxeye daisy is considered a weed because of its ability to invade cultivated areas and cause allergies and other health problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why are oxeye daisies prohibited in some states?
A: Oxeye daisies are considered a noxious weed in several states, including Montana and Ohio, where they are prohibited. These invasive plants produce many seeds—an average plant produces 1,300 to 4,000 seeds annually—and can also spread through creeping rhizomes or horizontal root stalks.
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Q: Is oxeye daisy poisonous to dogs?
A: Daisy. Another key sign that spring has well and truly arrived, daisies are far less toxic than most other plants listed here, but are known to irritate some cats and dogs, as well as being poisonous if consumed in high quantities.
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Q: Are ox eye daisies good for bees?
A: The yellow centre of the oxeye daisy is made up of many small flowers which hold nectar and are exploited by various pollinating insects, including butterflies, bees and hoverflies.
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Q: Is ox eye daisy poisonous?
A: Is Leucanthemum vulgare poisonous? Leucanthemum vulgare can be toxic.
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Q: Can cows eat oxeye daisy?
A: Although oxeye daisy is not poisonous, it can give milk an off-flavor if animals consume it. Horses, sheep, and goats will eat oxeye daisy, but cows and pigs avoid it (Howarth and Williams 1968).
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Q: How did the oxeye daisy get to America?
A: Native to Eurasia, Oxeye daisy was introduced to North America in the late 1700s through seed mixes and as an ornamental. By 1800, it became widely established across North America and has become a persistent invader along roadsides, pastures and rangelands.
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Q: Can you eat oxeye daisy flowers?
A: The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Young spring shoots are finely chopped and added to salads and to soups. Some people find this plant to be somewhat pungent and prefer it cooked. The root can be consumed raw and the flowers can be tossed into a salad or pickled.
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Q: Is oxeye daisy invasive?
A: Oxeye daisy is an invasive weed in Arizona and New Mexico. It is listed as a potential noxious weed in New Mexico.
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Q: Is the oxeye daisy toxic to cats?
A: Despite their commonality, however, daisies can be quite toxic to a variety of animals, including cats. The side effects of consuming daisies can, in some cases, prove extremely dangerous.
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Q: Will oxeye daisy grow in shade?
A: They prefer well-drained, neutral or lime-rich soils and do best in full sunlight.
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Q: What is the difference between Shasta and oxeye daisy?
A: Shasta daisy, a non-native ornamental plant, usually grows 6 to 12 inches taller than oxeye daisy, has larger flower heads, and basal leaves are not as and may have toothed edges (margins).
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Q: Is oxeye daisy good for bees?
A: Ox-eye daisy. The open flowerheads of ox-eye daisy attract lots of pollinating insects, especially bees. Flowering from May through to September, they’re a great plant to grow in your garden.
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Q: Do oxeye daisies rebloom?
A: Flowers appear from mid-spring to the end of June in most regions, with occasional blooms opening throughout the rest of the growing season. Pruning the white daisies after they fade helps encourage plants to rebloom.
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Q: Do oxeye daisies bloom all summer?
A: It’s also a favorite garden plant that blooms throughout the summer. Blooming from June into September, the oxeye daisy—also called dog daisy, marguerite, field daisy, and other names—stands up to three feet tall on long stems, singly and in clumps.
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Q: Are oxeye daisies rare?
A: Today the Oxeye Daisy is very common all over the world, but it’s only native to Europe and Asia. It blooms from spring to autumn, and is a reliable sign that summer is approaching.
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Q: What is oxeye daisy used for?
A: Ox-eye daisy is used for the common cold, cough, bronchitis, fever, sore mouth and throat, liver and gallbladder complaints, loss of appetite, muscle spasms, fluid retention, and tendency toward infection. It is also used as a tonic.
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Q: Can you make tea out of oxeye daisy?
A: So, I personally love to eat the leaves of this yummy plant as it begins to grow in the Spring. However, the flowers make such a strong tea to help dry out any mucus if you have more symptoms pertaining to a moist, unproductive cough.
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Q: Is oxeye daisy good for wildlife?
A: Value to wildlife The yellow centre of the oxeye daisy is made up of many small flowers which hold nectar and are exploited by various pollinating insects, including butterflies, bees and hoverflies.
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Q: Should I cut back oxeye daisy?
A: Oxeye daisy generally doesn’t need any pruning. To help the branches flourish, remove the apical buds (pinch back) after the plants grow up to 15 cm tall in spring.
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Q: Will daisies bloom again if you cut them back?
A: A: Unlikely. Some perennials are pretty good at reblooming, especially when you cut off or “deadhead” flowers as soon as they brown and before they have a chance to set seed. You might see some sporadic new daisy flowers, but for the most part, daisies are once and done.
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Q: How do I get rid of ox-eye daisy?
A: (pulling, cutting, disking) Small patches may be removed with hand tools or by repeated hand-pulling. Mowing before bloom can reduce seed set but will not control the plant. Mowing during or after flowering will disperse seeds. Because of its shallow root system, oxeye daisy can be controlled with cultivation.
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Q: Is ox eye daisy invasive UK?
A: It’s typically a grassland perennial but it also appears a lot on roadsides and on disturbed ground. It’s native to the UK and Europe but is considered an invasive species in other 40 countries.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.