[Members of the Sunflower Family with Flower Heads like Sunflowers or Daisies in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Oxeye Daisy, Ox-eye Daisy

Leucanthemum vulgare

Synonyms: Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum var. pinnatifidum

The photo above shows a close-up of the flower head of ox-eye daisy as seen near 4000' at the southwestern corner of Mt. Adams. Note the numerous small, yellow disk flowers as well as the ring of long, white ray flowers at the outer edge of the disk. Photographed on July 10, 2005.

Characteristics:

Ox-eye daisy is an attractive, weedy perennial. It has erect stems ranging from 20-80 cm in height, often unbranched. It is mostly glabrous. The basal leaves are oblanceolate or spatulate with wavy or cleft or lobed margins. The leaves are 4-15 cm long. The stem leaves are sessile and reduced in size.

The flower heads are solitary at the end of the branches. The 15-30 white rays surround the yellow central disk. The rays are 1-2 cm long, and the disk is about 10-20 mm wide.

Habitat:

Ox-eye daisy is found in disturbed areas, such as fields, roadside, and waste areas.

Range:

Ox-eye daisy is a native of Eurasia. It is widespread over much of North America.

In the Columbia River Gorge, it is found in disturbed places between the elevations of 100'-4000' from the west end to near Lyle, WA.

The photo above shows a close-up of the basal leaf of oxeye daisy. Note the lobed to incised leaf margins. The foliage, especially when younger, is often a much darker green color.

Paul Slichter