Taxonomy

Oxeye daisy is in the sunflower taxonomic family (Asteraceae). The scientific name, Leucanthemum vulgare, literally translates to common white flower; the generic name is made up of the Greek roots leuk meaning white and anthem meaning flower, and the species name, vulgare, is from the Latin vulga meaning common. Synonyms include Chrysanthemum leucanthemum and Leucanthemum leucanthemum. Oxeye daisy has many common names including bull daisy, button daisy, dog daisy, field daisy, goldens, marguerite, midsummer daisy, moon flower, and whiteweed.

In the United States, there are four species other than oxeye daisy in the Leucanthemum genus, all introduced; L. serotina (giant daisy) is found in the Great Lakes States and New England, L. lacustre (Portuguese daisy) is found in Wyoming and the Southeastern U.S., and L. maximum (max chrysanthemum, also English field daisy) is found in the west coast states, Colorado, Louisiana, Ohio, and New York. Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) is a hybrid cross developed (1901) from oxeye daisy flowers dusted with pollen from L. maximum, then selected progeny dusted with L. lacustre, and finally selected progeny of this cross dusted with pollen from Nipponanthemum nipponicum (Japanese field daisy). Oxeye daisy is closely related taxonomically to common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare).

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Last Modified: 03/19/2008