Leucanthemum vulgare
Ox-eye daisy
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Leucanthemum vulgare (Ox-eye daisy) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by smallest flowers and deeply lobed basal leaves.
Ox-eye daisy is a naturalized perennial found in coastal, northern California, Klamath Ranges, and Sierra Nevada foothill regions in disturbed areas, meadows, and seeps at elevations up to 2,600 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white ray flowers with yellow centers, forming large daisy-like blooms up to 20 centimeters in diameter. Growing with erect stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, occasionally reaching up to 1 meter, the plant has a robust and spreading growth habit. Its basal leaves are obovate to spoon-shaped, typically 12 to 35 millimeters long, with pinnately lobed edges or irregular teeth, while upper stem leaves become progressively more narrow and toothed. The fruit is small, about 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long, with distinctive crown-like or ear-like tip projections.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; smallest flowers and deeply lobed basal leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Disturbed areas, meadows, seeps
Elevation: < 2600 m
Outside California: native to Europe, widely naturalized
Bloom period
Leucanthemum vulgare blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
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 vulgare native to California?
No. Leucanthemum vulgare is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Leucanthemum vulgare bloom?
Leucanthemum vulgare blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Leucanthemum vulgare belong to?
Leucanthemum vulgare is in the Asteraceae family, genus Leucanthemum.
Is Leucanthemum vulgare invasive in California?
Leucanthemum vulgare is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Leucanthemum vulgare grow in?
Leucanthemum vulgare grows in Common. Disturbed areas, meadows, seeps.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.