Oxeye daisy

Oxeye daisy is an herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It is clump forming. Stems may be basal and low growing or erect up to 3.5 feet tall. Stems are thin and branch toward the top. Leaves are green, usually glabrous, and alternately arranged on stems. Leaf shape is variable. Basal leaves are usually spoon-shaped with long petioles and scalloped margins. Stem leaves are shorter and deeply divided or lobed. Vegetation may give off an unpleasant odor when crushed. Oxeye daisy flowers from early summer to fall. Flowers are composite flowers consisting of a center of yellow disk florets and outer white ray florets. These flowers are between 1.5 to 2 inches wide. Flowers may be confused with those of scentless chamomile or Shasta daisy; however, the outer ray florets of oxeye daisy are proportional to the inner disk florets (scentless chamomile ray flowers occur sparsely around the center disk, and Shasta daisy flowers are much larger, reaching 3 to 4 inches across). Oxeye daisy has a shallow, creeping root system. Seeds are small (1/16 in long) and are brown to black with 8 to 10 white ridges.

Oxeye daisy is native to Eurasia, and it was introduced to North America in the 1800s as an ornamental. It creates dense patches and infestations by spreading rhizomes and seeds and spreads to new locations by seeds and root fragments. This species is frequently found in grasslands and pastures, disturbed sites, and landscapes.

Prevention and cultural control strategies should be utilized as much as possible.

There are no biological control agents currently available for release in Teton County; however, initial transect monitoring locations were established in 2023 in anticipation of USDA APHIS PPQ approval of a new agent in the near future.

Hand pulling and digging out of all lateral roots can be effective if conducted before establishment in an area, but great care must be taken to ensure that all of the root system is removed. Tillage to 6 inches or more may be effective, but locations must be monitored for regrowth. Clean equipment after tilling to prevent movement of root fragments. Mowing before bloom can reduce seed production, but the low growing basal stems thrive in manicured landscapes. Controlled grazing is not usually effective. Grazing with dairy cattle should be avoided as oxeye daisy can impact milk flavor.

Large infestations can be controlled with herbicides. Spring treatments prevent flowering and seed production, and fall treatments may be effective at killing the root system. Read the label before using any herbicide. Contact TCWP if you have any questions about application rates or how to use an herbicide.

• Weed Report: Oxeye daisy (2013) DiTomaso, J.M., G.B. Kyser et al. Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States. Weed Research and Information Center. University of California.
• Oxeye Daisy. Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.
• Oxeye Daisy: Identification, Biology, and Integrated Management (2017) Mangold, J., Sheley, R., and Brown, M. Montana State University Extension. MontGuides.
• Oxeye daisy (2019) Gupta, A., Rager, A., and Weber, M.M. University of Minnesota Extension.
• Identification and Management of Oxeye Daisy (2006) Johnson, W. and Macknet, D. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.