The biology of Canadian weeds. 128. Leucanthemum vulgare Lam.

Abstract

Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. (Asteraceae), known as ox-eye daisy, is a familiar perennial herb with white ray florets and yellow disc florets. It commonly inhabits roadside ver ges, pastures and old fields from Newfoundland to British Columbia, and also as far north as the Yukon Territory. Introduced from Europe, L. vulgare was well established in North America by 1800. The Canadian distribution of L. vulgare has expanded in many areas recently, particularly in western Canada. It can form dense populations that may reduce diversity of natural vegetation or pasture quality, and also serves as a host and reservoir for several species of polyphagous gall-forming Meloidogyne nematodes that feed on crops. It is considered a noxious weed under provincial legislation in Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as under the Canada Seeds Act. Control efforts are sometimes complicated by difficulties in distinguishing ox-eye daisy from some forms of the commercially available Shasta daisy ( L. × superbum).