White Daisies
What are they?
The 'classic' white daisy has white outer petals and a yellow center, but there are a number of different species that fit this image. Members of the aster family, these species are closely related to the North American Asters.
Where are they found?
Most are introduced European species and are often adventives of disturbed ground such as gardens, roadsides and farm fields.
Identification
Most species in this group can be identified by studying the leaves and the outer parts of the flower head.
Technical terms that it is useful to know when identifying this group are Phyllary and Ligule. The phyllaries are the greenish outer part of the compound head of flowers and which can differ quite significantly between two, otherwise very similar, species. The ligule is the colored part of the flower that you or I would normally call a petal. In fact, each outer flower in the compound head has five petals which are fused together at the base into a tube, then elongated out into a single, strap-like structure (the ligule).
Pineapple-weed Matricaria discoidea
Patchily distributed but may become very common where it occurs. Generally found as a weed of urban areas, especially lawns, paths and cracks in pavement. Flowers May to October. This is essentially a 'white daisy' without ray petals, simply bearing a cluster of yellow, disk flowers. Leaves are deeply cut like those of other closely-related species, and have a pineapple scent to them when crushed.
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pineapple scent |
Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium
Introduced from Europe. Flowers May to October. At one time a popular herbal remedy and still ocasionally found growing as a relic of cultivation in waste places.
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Stinking Chamomile Anthemis cotula
Uncommon introduced annual of arable fields, but where it occurs, it can be found in quite large stands, painting farm fields and frequently disturbed areas with a carpet of white. The whole plant has a rather pungent odor. Flowers May to September.
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with whitish edges |
and pungent |
Nippon Daisy Nipponanthemum nipponicum
(Montauk Daisy) Introduced from Asia and popular as a garden plant as it is tolerant of salty coastal air. Occasionally found as a relic of cultivation or garden throwout in coastal dune areas. Flowers September to October. A shrubby species that form a low, rounded mound to three feet in height.
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Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare
Common introduced species from Europe. Widespread in grassy areas throughout Cape May County. Flowers May to August, sometimes later.
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toothed margins |
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Shasta Daisy Leucanthemum maximum
Introduced from Europe. A once more popular garden plant that occasionally survives in the wild where garden waste is dumped, or on abandoned properties. Flowers July to August. Much larger than Oxeye Daisy, forming clumps up to three feet high. Leaves with more evenly-toothed margins.
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toothed margins |
Prostrate Eclipta Eclipta prostrata
(False Daisy) Native to tropical and sub-tropical regions but now widely introduced throughout many parts of the world. Occasional in swamps and other wet areas but flowers are very small and easy to miss. Flowers July to September.
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white, small |
green buttons |
Gallant-soldier Galinsoga parviflora
Introduced from Europe and an occasional weed of arable fields, gardens and disturbed ground. Flowers are very small but often numerous on the plant. Flowers July to October. Compare with the very similar Shaggy-soldier, which is overall more hairy and has larger flowers.
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just five white ligules |
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Shaggy-soldier Galinsoga quadriradiata
Introduced from Europe, this is an occasional weed of arable fields, gardens and disturbed ground. Flowers are very small but often numerous on the plant. Flowers July to October. Compare with the very similar Gallant-soldier, which is overall less hairy and has smaller flowers.
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just five white ligules |
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