Oxeye daisy

Discuss this plant with the guide — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

Leucanthemum vulgare

Colorado noxious weed · List B — Stop the spread. J-oxeye-daisy

Established in some areas. Requirements vary by location: eradication, containment or suppression to stop further spread. This is a management category, separate from danger ratings. Category source · What the lists mean.

Toxic to dogs and cats; dermatitis. Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. Exposure help.

Identification caveat: ASPCA’s page titled Daisy names Chrysanthemum species, not Leucanthemum vulgare. It is excluded as direct pet evidence; the species-specific NC State account supports the warning here.

Still researching this plant

This is a sourced working profile. The cited findings are available below. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.

Three views of this plant

Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.

Leucanthemum vulgare: Upright clump with many long stems carrying white-rayed yellow-centered flower heads. — **habit** — Upright clump with many long stems carrying white-rayed yellow-centered flower heads.
Isidre blanc · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Oxeye daisy belongs to a taxonomically difficult group, and ornamental Shasta daisies may resemble it. Selected source photographs are labeled L. vulgare; a photograph alone does not establish cytotype or exclude every close relative.
Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

Leucanthemum vulgare: White ray florets surround a broad yellow disk of tiny florets in a single flower head. — **flower** — White ray florets surround a broad yellow disk of tiny florets in a single flower head.
Kaldari · Public domain
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Oxeye daisy belongs to a taxonomically difficult group, and ornamental Shasta daisies may resemble it. Selected source photographs are labeled L. vulgare; a photograph alone does not establish cytotype or exclude every close relative.
Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

Leucanthemum vulgare: Alternate toothed to lobed stem leaves with narrow bases along slender upright stems. — **leaf** — Alternate toothed to lobed stem leaves with narrow bases along slender upright stems.
Stefan.lefnaer · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Oxeye daisy belongs to a taxonomically difficult group, and ornamental Shasta daisies may resemble it. Selected source photographs are labeled L. vulgare; a photograph alone does not establish cytotype or exclude every close relative.
Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

Recognize

White ray flowers around a yellow center, with toothed or lobed leaves; a perennial that spreads through rhizomes. N-leucanthemum-vulgare

Plants & habitat

Introduced ornamental that can spread in meadows and disturbed areas. Prevent seed production and manage the perennial root system. J-oxeye-daisy

People

NC State lists contact dermatitis from leaves and flowers. This guide does not assess edible use. N-leucanthemum-vulgare

Dogs & cats

NC State reports ingestion toxicity, with possible vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, incoordination and dermatitis. Contact a veterinarian after suspected ingestion. N-leucanthemum-vulgare

Other animals

The source flags horses but does not provide a horse-specific exposure assessment; no safe feed amount is established here. N-leucanthemum-vulgare

Before taking action

Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. S27

References

J-oxeye-daisy — Oxeye Daisy, Jefferson County, Colorado. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:27:24+00:00. Locator: Description, impacts, Colorado list designation, management.
N-leucanthemum-vulgare — Leucanthemum vulgare — Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:24:01+00:00. Locator: Description, Attributes, Poisonous to Humans, Problems.

Content revised 2026-09-07 03:50:00Z · Source checks dated separately in the references.