Rocky View County (RVC) is letting residents know that any white daisies you see in Alberta are not a native plant species and could pose a threat.
"While some varieties are available in gardening stores, it’s important to be cautious about what you plant. Two highly invasive species, Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) and Scentless chamomile (Tripleurospermum inodorum), are both listed as noxious weeds under Alberta’s Weed Control Act, shared RVC."
According to RVC, many people, unaware of the harm caused to the local ecosystem, unintentionally contribute to the spread of invasive species by planting or spreading oxeye daisy and scentless chamomile. These species are frequently mistaken for the ornamental Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum), further aiding their spread.
"Another common way these invasive daisies spread is through wildflower seed mixes. Avoid planting mixes that do not list the species, as they often contain invasive plants. Taking a moment to read the scientific names can help ensure you’re planting species that are truly native and safe for Alberta’s ecosystems. "
A single oxeye daisy can produce as many as 26,000 seeds that can stay viable in the soil for over ten years. On top of that, it also spreads by underground rhizomes, making it very challenging to control once it takes hold.
Scentless Chamomile spreads rapidly, with each plant capable of producing 500,000 seeds that can travel via water, wind, and human activity. It is highly adaptable, tolerating heavy clay soils, drought, and even flooding. Once established in cropland, it can reduce yields by up to 60 per cent.
"While it is not classified as a noxious weed, Shasta daisy can revert to oxeye daisy, spreading aggressively in gardens and nearby natural areas."
When controlling these plants, it is important to remove the heads so they don't seed and put it in a plastic bag for disposal (garbage, not compost)
RVC shared that If you are searching for daisy-like plants for your garden or yard, consider these native species found in Alberta:
- Alpine Aster (Aster alpinus)
- Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)
- Smooth Fleabane (Erigeron glabellus)
- Other Fleabanes in the Erigeron family
Weed inspectors will be throughout the County this summer inspecting private, public, and municipal property to help stop the spread of regulated weeds listed as noxious and prohibited noxious under Alberta’s Weed Control Act.
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