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How do oxeye daisies differ from Shasta daisies?

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While both the oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) and the Shasta daisy (L. ×superbum) belong to the Asteraceae family and share a similar appearance, they differ primarily in their origins and size.123

  • Origin: The oxeye daisy is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia that has naturalized in other parts of the world, including the United States. In contrast, the Shasta daisy is a hybrid garden plant.123
  • Size: The most notable physical difference is the size of the flower heads. The oxeye daisy typically produces flower heads that are 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) in diameter. The Shasta daisy, however, is characterized by significantly larger flower heads that can reach up to 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter.12

Both plants feature the classic daisy structure, consisting of white ray flowers surrounding a central disk of yellow flowers.12