Leucanthemella serotina (Giant Daisy)
| Also known as: | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Leucanthemella |
| Family: | Asteraceae (Aster) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | Europe, Asia |
| Status: |
|
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; disturbed soil; roadsides, ditches, old fields |
| Bloom season: | September - October |
| Plant height: | 3 to 6 feet |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | none |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/leucanthemella-serotina-9.jpg)
Loose cluster of stalked flowers at the top of the plant and branches from the upper leaf axils. Flowers are 2 to 3 inches across with white petals (ray flowers) and a golden yellow to greenish yellow center disk. Flowers typically turn to face the sun.
![[photo of bracts]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/leucanthemella-serotina-3.jpg)
The bracts surrounding the base of the flower are in 2 or 3 layers, green with broad, membranous, dark brown edging, and the outer bracts longer than the inner. Flower stalks are covered in short, fine hairs.
Leaves and stems:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/leucanthemella-serotina-19.jpg)
Leaves are 2 to 5 inches long, up to 1 inch wide, lance-elliptic to oblong, coarsely toothed and stalkless. The lowest leaves may wither away by flowering time. Stems are stout, multiple from the base, mostly erect, and unbranched except in the flowers.
Fruit:
The center disk becomes a head of dry seeds that lack a tuft of hairs.
Notes:
Giant Daisy is a garden escapee that is not widespread in Minnesota, possibly for hardiness reasons, but that may change as Minnesota becomes more zone 4 and 5 and less zone 3. It is a much taller plant with more and larger flowers than the more common Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare).
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More photos
Giant Daisy plants
Giant Daisy along a woodland edge
Giant Daisy plants
Giant Daisy spreading into a ditch
flowers turned towards the sun
Giant Daisy plants
Giant Daisy along a woodland edge
Giant Daisy plants
Giant Daisy spreading into a ditch
flowers turned towards the sunPhotos by K. Chayka taken in Lake and St. Louis counties. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Aitkin, Lake and St. Louis counties.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2016-09-19 05:09:54
Saw a huge patch of this growing just south of Eveleth. 2 yrs ago I saw it growing in the same spot as this year, but it was not there last year!
on: 2017-09-25 11:45:54
I have seen it years ago along the North Shore of Lake Superior in roadside gardens. But never saw in the trade. Let's get this plant into our Garden centers! Lovely combined with the Michaelmas daisies and New England asters.i didn't know it was listed as a MN wildflower but there it is on the map.
on: 2017-09-25 15:04:19
Maryclare, you misunderstand. A species with the designation "wildflower" only means it's been found uncultivated in a natural area, and the map merely indicates where it's been previously spotted. That doesn't mean it should be there. Giant daisy is a garden escapee and a potentially invasive non-native weed. We do not want this in any more of our natural landscapes, especially on the north shore, where invasive weeds already run amok! If this species is not widespread in the garden trade as you say, then I for one am relieved. We thank you in advance for not encouraging others to plant more potentially invasive species!
on: 2019-10-22 19:29:42
Along a backroad between Barnum and Moose Lake. Sort of a damp area.
on: 2022-10-03 11:27:45
Saw patches along Hwy 371 north of Walker, MN near mile marker 97 on the west side of Leech Lake. Appears to be where Bell Museum records show it to be.