Weed Of The Week - Oxeye Daisy
Weed Of The Week #5
Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Noxious Under Alberta's Weed Control Act
Submitted By Kelly Cooley, CoolPro Solutions
A very common and troublesome non-native invasive weed here in the Eastern Slopes Foothills of the Rocky Mountains is the creeping-rooted perennial Oxeye Daisy. While it does spread by its prolific seeds, Oxeye Daisy also spreads rapidly via a short creeping root system, which generates many above ground flowering shoots from buds along these roots. Oxeye Daisy can almost pass unnoticed when it is not sporting its white petalled, yellow-centred flowers, as the leaves are quite inconspicuous (see photos). While the flowers are similar to those on Scentless Chamomile, the leaves of these two species are very different (see photo with non-flowering examples of both species). Scentless Chamomile leaves are very thin and finely divided, while Oxeye Daisy has broadly spoon shaped leaves. Seed production in Oxeye Daisy varies widely, with small plants yielding 1300-1400 seeds, while large plants are capable of up to 26,000 seeds per plant! Seeds can remain viable between 20-40 years! Oxeye Daisy spreads extensively and is capable of dominating the species mix in foothills pasture land and natural areas, particularly those that are heavily grazed, and spreads readily down watercourses and up any areas of disturbance such as cut lines, human trails & roads, and animal trails. It is capable of invading forages, particularly grass-based hay. Oxeye Daisy is generally unpalatable once in flower, though cattle may graze on immature plants. With experienced shepherding and grazing management, sheep and goats can also be trained to feed on Oxeye Daisy, but this method should not be employed where wild bighorn sheep and mountain goats reside due to the risk of disease transfer from the domestic stock. Mowing is generally ineffective. Some success on tame pastures has been found by increasing the fertility of a grass stand, particularly increasing nitrogen levels. This species may be controlled by using selective broadleaf herbicides, focusing on non-flowering seedlings throughout the growing season.
More information on this aggressive invader can be found in the Oxeye Daisy fact sheet from the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia, as well as in the video below. You can report this invader yourself using the Alberta Invasive Species Council's free EDDMapS application on your mobile device. For local Oxeye Daisy control options, please contact our Agricultural Fieldman at 403-339-8741.
Photo Credits:
Kelly Cooley, CoolPro Solutions
Alberta Invasive Species Council
Oxeye Daisy Video: Invasive Species Council of British Columbia
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