Oxeye daisy is a perennial herb, 1 to 3 feet tall, with shallow, branched rhizomes and adventitious roots. The stems, which arise from upturned rhizomes or buds on the root crown, range from hairless to slightly hairy. The prostrate, basal stems can root, while the other stems are erect and simple to slightly branched. Cotyledons open above ground and wither soon after the first leaves form. The toothed, spatula-shaped to round basal leaves occur on long stalks. The stem leaves are alternate and lack stalks; they are lance-shaped to ligulate, with coarse teeth and often have a few lobes at the base. Flowers are showy and daisy-like, with 20 to 30 white ray flowers and numerous, bright yellow disk flowers. Flower heads are usually solitary and grow on long, terminal stems; heads average 1 to 2.2 inches in diameter. Involucral bracts are narrow with a dark brown, scarious margin. The fruit is a dry, indehiscent achene that is circular in outline and lacks a pappus. The entire plant has a disagreeable odor when crushed (Holm et al. 1997; Howarth and Williams 1968; Olson and Wallander 1999). Although oxeye daisy is not poisonous, it can give milk an off-flavor if animals consume it. Horses, sheep, and goats will eat oxeye daisy, but cows and pigs avoid it (Howarth and Williams 1968). Plants are low in protein (8.4%) and high in fiber (29%) (Holm et al. 1997). Plants resist cutting, trampling, and grazing (Howarth and Williams 1968). Since cattle avoid oxeye daisy, the carrying capacity of infested pastures is reduced when cattle are the main grazers (Olson and Wallander 1999).

Habitat: Oxeye daisy can survive over a wide range of environmental conditions. It is common in native grasslands, overgrazed pastures, waste areas, meadows, railroad rights-of-way, and roadsides. The plant can grow on a wide range of soils, especially those low in pH and nutrients (Holm et al. 1997; Howarth and Williams 1968; Olson and Wallander 1999). In Europe, the plant is found up to 70° north and 3300 feet in elevation. The plant is unaffected by frost and survives drought well (Howarth and Williams 1968).

Growth and Development:  Oxeye daisy seeds have no dormancy requirements (Howarth and Williams 1968). Although the plant germinates throughout growing season, most seedlings establish in autumn. Growth is slow during the first winter and spring. Extensive rhizome and crown development occurs during the summer, and the crown will send up new shoots in the fall. The plant flowers during its second year. However, flowering may be delayed if plants are growing under competitive conditions (Holm et al. 1997). Flowering occurs June to August, with seeds dispersing August to September. Seeds will germinate as soon as they are dispersed (Howarth and Williams 1968). Oxeye daisy rarely appears as a single plant, except when it is newly established from seed. It usually grows in small to large patches