Leucanthemum lacustre
Portuguese daisy
(c) Alvesgaspar, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Leucanthemum lacustre (Portuguese daisy) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by key differences are flower head size and leaf shape.
Portuguese daisy is a naturalized perennial found in the northern and central California Coast bioregions in disturbed sites, meadows, seeps, and sea-cliffs at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white ray flowers with yellow disk centers, creating large daisy-like blooms up to 3.5 centimeters wide. Growing with robust stems 30 to 120 centimeters tall, it develops a substantial and spreading habit. Its lower leaves are lanceolate, up to 10 centimeters long with toothed edges, while upper stem leaves become increasingly narrow and serrate. The plant forms distinctive ray flowers with 21 to 34 white petals surrounding a compact yellow center.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences are flower head size and leaf shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed sites, meadows, seeps, sea-cliffs
Elevation: < 50 m
Outside California: native to Portugal
Bloom period
Leucanthemum lacustre blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Bellis: Bellis forms low rosettes with flower stalks from the base; Leucanthemum has upright leafy stems.; vs Erigeron: Erigeron has numerous narrow rays; Leucanthemum has fewer, broader white rays.; vs Argyranthemum: Argyranthemum has woody stems you can feel; Leucanthemum is herbaceous throughout.; vs Anthemis: Anthemis has finely dissected ferny leaves; Leucanthemum has simple toothed or lobed leaves.; vs Gazania: Gazania has silvery-woolly leaf undersides; Leucanthemum leaves are green on both sides.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leucanthemum lacustre native to California?
No. Leucanthemum lacustre is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Leucanthemum lacustre bloom?
Leucanthemum lacustre blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Leucanthemum lacustre belong to?
Leucanthemum lacustre is in the Asteraceae family, genus Leucanthemum.
What habitat does Leucanthemum lacustre grow in?
Leucanthemum lacustre grows in Uncommon. Disturbed sites, meadows, seeps, sea-cliffs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.