Practical
Plants

Leucanthemum vulgare

Ox-Eye Daisy

a perennial member of the Leucanthemum genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked[5][1]. The young spring shoots are finely chopped and added to salads[12][14][3]. Rather pungent[15], they should be used sparingly or mixed with other salad plants[3]. Root - raw[13]. Used in spring[7].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant, and especially the flowers[14], is antispasmodic, antitussive, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, tonic and vulnerary[12][14][8]. It is harvested in May and June then dried for later use[12]. The plant has been employed successfully in the treatment of whooping cough, asthma and nervous excitability[12]. Externally it is used as a lotion on bruises, wounds, ulcers and some cutaneous diseases[12][14]. A decoction of the dried flowers and stems has been used as a wash for chapped hands[11]. A distilled water made from the flowers is an effective eye lotion in the treatment of conjunctivitis[14].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vulnerary

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Lapland south and east to the Mediterranean and Siberia.
Habitat
A common weed of grassy fields on all the better types of soil, avoiding acid soils and shade[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a good garden soil in a sunny position[4]. Prefers a rich soil[2]. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[4]. The whole plant is permeated with an acrid juice, making it obnoxious to insects[12]. The flowers have a smell like stale perspiration[10]. Grows well in the summer meadow but may need some help in maintaining itself[9].

References

  1. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

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  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  7. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

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  8. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  9. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

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  10. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  11. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

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  12. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  13. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩

  14. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  15. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

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