Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare,daisy

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The oxeye daisy has the vernacular names common daisy, dog daisy, moon daisy, is a widespread flowering plant native to Europe and the temperate regions of Asia. It is one of a number of Asteraceae family plants to be called a 'daisy.

Leucanthemum vulgare is a typical grassland perennial wildflower, growing in a variety of plant communities including meadows and fields, under scrub and open-canopy forests, and in disturbed areas. It is a perennial herb 2 feet by 1 foot wide. The stem is mostly unbranched and sprouts laterally from a creeping rhizomatous rootstock. The leaves are dark green on both sides. The basal and middle leaves are petiolate, obovate to spoon-shaped, and serrate to dentate. The upper leaves are shorter, sessile, and borne along the stem.

Blooms from late spring to autumn. The small flower head, not larger than 2inches; consists of about 20 white ray florets that surround a yellow disc, growing on the end of 1 to 3 ft. tall stems. The plant produces an abundant number of flat seeds, without pappus, that remain viable in the soil for 2 to 3 years. It also spreads vegetatively by rhizomes.

·         Roots are edible raw.

·         Spring shoots are edible raw

·         Leaves have a strong taste

·         Young leaves can be eaten raw.

·         The un-opened flower buds can be marinated and used in a similar way to capers.

©Al (Alex-Alexander ) D Girvan). All rights reserved.