Ox-eye Daisy, Marguerite, White daisy, Whiteweed
Leucanthemum vulgare

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A daisy plant. It is a herb and has a short rootstock and keeps growing from year to year. It grows 100 cm high and spreads 60 cm wide. It spreads by underground rhizomes. It has few hairs. The leaves at the base have leaf stalks. The leaves are oblong with coarse teeth or divided. They are 2.5-7.5 cm long. The leaves on the stem do not have leaf stalks and clasp the stem. The leaves have coarse teeth. The lower leaves are on slender stalks. The upper leaves clasp the stem. The flowers are daisy like. They are yellow in the centre and white on the outside. The flower heads occur singly at the end of long flower stalks. They are 2.5-5 cm across. The fruit is a dry ribbed achene. The flowers are large and solitary. The flowers grow on long stems to 50 cm high. There is a ring of green sepals underneath the petals.

There are 10-25 Leucanthemum species. It can become invasive.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It does well at high altitudes and in rainy areas. It often grows along roadsides. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 3-9. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Cameroon, Canada, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central Asia, Chile, China, Cuba, Europe (country/location of origin), Fauklands, France, Greenland, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Siberia, Slovenia, South America, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The flowers are washed and blanched in salt water then added as a garnish to foods. They are also used in wine making. Young plants can be eaten to add a bitter taste to food. Young leaves are occasionally eaten as a pot-herb. They are also finely chopped and used in salads. Caution: It should only be eaten in small quantities.

Cultivated as an ornamental. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, flowers - wine

How it is grown

It grows easily from seed. It can also be grown by division of the clump.

Its other names

Local names

Aster putih, Crisantemo cimarron, Dime que so, Eritsuk, Ivancica, Margarita, Moon daisy, Nta, Spitakatsaghik

Synonyms

Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Linnaeus; Leucanthemum ircutianum (Turczaninow) de Candolle; Leucanthemum leucanthemum (Linnaeus) Rydberg, nom. illegit.; Matricaria leucanthemum (Linnaeus) Desrousseaux; Pyrethrum leucanthemum (Linnaeus) Schultz-Bipontinus; Tanacetum leucanthemum (Linnaeus) Schultz-Bipontinus;