Leucanthemum vulgare (Oxeye Daisy)
Kingdom: Plantae [4]
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (tracheophyte, vascular plant) [4]
Superdivision: Spermatophyta (seed producing plant) [4]
Division: Magnoliophyta (Angiosperm, flowering plants) [4]
Class: Magnoliopsida [4]
Subclass: Asteridae [4]
Order: Asterales [4]
Family: Asteraceae [4]
Genus: Leucanthemum [4]
Species: vulgare [4]
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (tracheophyte, vascular plant) [4]
Superdivision: Spermatophyta (seed producing plant) [4]
Division: Magnoliophyta (Angiosperm, flowering plants) [4]
Class: Magnoliopsida [4]
Subclass: Asteridae [4]
Order: Asterales [4]
Family: Asteraceae [4]
Genus: Leucanthemum [4]
Species: vulgare [4]
The Leucanthemum vulgare is unique in having white flowers and a yellow seed producing circular middle [7]. Stems are not branched and they are smooth with groves [7]. Leaves are long, thin and toothed [7]. Flowers have up to 30 white pedals with yellow centre [7, 20]. They are seed producing angiosperms [20].
The Leucanthemum vulgare has a long and slender stem with white flowers that grow up to 4 cm in diameter [7]. Flower consists of large circular yellow middle and many long, slender, and white petals. Stem is around 60 cm in length and is very thin [15]. Small tuft of leaves is developed at the end of the plant, and the leaves also occur along the central stem [7]. The leaves become smaller as they go up the stem [7]. Leaves have alternating teeth growing along the stem that are long and slender, like a small double edged blade [7].
The Leucanthemum vulgare is found in grassland areas, near edges of the forest where weed grows [20]. They are also found in wooded areas, vacant lots, areas along roads and railroads, landfills, pastures and waste lands [20]. We found the Oxeye Daisy everywhere; they were on the trails, near the pond, in the meadows. The location was sun-filled and moisture rich; it was surrounded by other Oxeye Daisies that formed a clump of the plant [20]. There were also other species of grasses and weeds growing near the plant. This plant can live almost anywhere because of its strong rate of survival; it can live in both moisture rich and dry areas, although it does need moisture to survive in the summer[20]. This plant also flourishes in nutrient poor soils [15]. It can mature, flower, and produce seeds even at very high elevations [15]. The oxeye daisy loves sun filled areas but can also tolerate shaded areas,making it able to grow almost anywhere [16]. Also, livestock and wildlife do not consume it due to its disagreeable taste [16]. Therefore, the Leucanthemum vulgare has been flourishing in the wild [15].
Leucanthemum vulgare
The Leucanthemum vulgare is a perennial plant (able to live for more than two years) that was introduced to North America from Europe in the early 1800s as a grass seed contaminant and spread as an ornamental plant for gardens and meadows [15]. Because of its ability to tolerate many different areas, and no primary predator, the Oxeye daisy has become a serious invasive species in pastures and natural areas across North America [15, 16]. The plant can modify the existing environment and form dense populations that decrease plant diversity around it [20]. The plant has a disagreeable taste with wild life so it is not eaten and it can only be controlled chemically or by physically removing it. While walking in Morrison Creek, it is obvious that this plant is everywhere, near the trails, in the meadow [16]. It was growing in many different habitats and thriving [16]. Without a predator, without control, the oxeye daisy can easily diminish biodiversity in Morrison Creek and take over the environment [20].
Invasive Species
Invasive species, are species that have been introduced to Canada from another country in the world, they change current habitats and can even take over [20]. The Oxeye Daisy is considered one of these invasive species, first introduced in early 1800s, the Oxeye Daisy has since become a great factor in the habitat, doing huge damage to wild land habitats [15]. The Oxeye Daisy is now considered a weed and a pest by many individuals. Humans have introduced this plant on to North America soil, and it is our duty to preserve Canadian habitat and wild life by trying to get rid of these plants [16]. In the spring, every home owner complains about dandelions, dreadful dandelions, yellow flowers cover every grass field, and many herbicides are on the market to get rid of these dandelions. The Oxeye Daisy, without prevention has the potential into becoming the next dandelion [15]. The Daisy can tolerate many conditions and thrive; therefore, it can tower over the competition of any other plant species, whether it’s competition for nutrients in the soil or for sunlight, since the species are very long in length. Areas that are heavily infested with the Oxeye Daisies lack biodiversity because these plants take over, they can alter habitats, making the habitat uninhabitable for plants that used to live there [20]. They can also breed with native species and weaken the gene pool of these species [15]. Eventually the market would have to create a new kind of herbicide that kills off the daisies, but these chemicals will harm other organisms in that habitat. If these plants do weaken the gene pool of the species, when a disease sweeps by many plants will die, leaving a mass of rotting plants. In the areas of heavy daisy infestation, bare soil becomes common, which increases the potential for soil erosion. Government will eventually have to take action to fund research on control of these species, to lessen the risk of soil erosion, soil erosion can destabilize houses and create danger and more work for home owners. You can help get rid of the Oxeye Daisies by mowing them down before they flower and release seeds [14, 19]. You can also help by preventing soil disturbance and maintain diversity of native species [15].