Flower profile
Oxeye daisy
Leucanthemum vulgare
Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–July across the U.S.
Oxeye daisy is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. In New Hampshire it's most often seen in bloom in June–July.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: New Hampshire
Quick look
Leucanthemum vulgare, commonly known as the ox-eye daisy, oxeye daisy, dog daisy, marguerite and other common names, is a widespread flowering plant native to Europe and the temperate regions of Asia, and an introduced plant to North America, Australia and New Zealand.
- It belongs to the Asteraceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 50 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as not native to New Hampshire. NatureServe
- In New Hampshire, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–July. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as summer. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 1.3 ft. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 766 research-grade sightings of it in New Hampshire, ranking #61 among the 157 flowers on our New Hampshire list. iNaturalist
When does it bloom?
In New Hampshire, most flowering sightings come in June–July.
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. NatureServe
- New Hampshire
- Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
- Rare elsewhere
- No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: low). Poisonous parts: flowers, leaves. Symptoms they list: “The leaves and flowers can cause contact dermatitis in humans. Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, and causes hypersalivation, incoordination, vomiting, diarrhea, and dermatitis.” They also note: “In moderate amounts, the leaves are edible and contain Vitamins A and C.” NC State Extension
NC State Extension flags it as a problem for cats, dogs and horses. It isn't on the ASPCA plant list. NC State Extension
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records oxeye daisy in 50 states plus Washington, D.C.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming; District of Columbia.
New Hampshire counties with USDA records: Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, Sullivan.
Growing conditions
USDA PLANTS gives Oxeye daisy a medium shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.2 to 7.0 and winter lows down to -28 °F.
- Shade tolerance
- Medium
- Drought tolerance
- Medium
- Moisture use
- Low
- Soil textures it is adapted to
- coarse, medium
- Soil pH range
- 5.2 to 7.0
- Minimum temperature tolerated
- -28 °F
- Frost-free days needed (minimum)
- 130
- Annual precipitation range
- 30 to 50 inches
- Minimum root depth
- 8 inches
- Salinity tolerance
- None
- Fertility requirement
- Low
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Short
- Active growth period
- Spring and Summer
- Fruit or seed
- Brown · Summer to Fall
- Can be propagated by
- seed
- Commercial availability
- No Known Source
From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for LEVU. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.
Names, range and relatives
Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Introduced; Canada: Introduced; Hawaii: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced; St. Pierre and Miquelon: Introduced.
Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Leucanthemum leucanthemum.
County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 1358 counties across 48 states; the most are in Virginia (99), Missouri (94), North Carolina (84).
More from the Asteraceae family (212 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Common yarrow, Goldenrods, White snakeroot, Sunflowers, Chicory, Black-eyed Susan, Bull thistle, Common dandelion.
More New Hampshire flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile LEVU.
- iNaturalist, Leucanthemum vulgare: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Leucanthemum vulgare (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020).
- New Hampshire: NH Prohibited Invasive Species List (Agr 3800, Table 3800.1).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Leucanthemum vulgare (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: Zac Peterson via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.