Noxious Weed Alert – Oxeye Daisy

It looks like a pretty flower. In fact, it's a noxious weed. It's the Oxeye Daisy.  Governor John Hickenlooper has signed a proclamation declaring July 7th-13th as Colorado Weed Awareness Week.  The Colorado Department of Agriculture works to stop the spread of noxious weeds across the state through a coordinated effort to detect and eradicate these weeds.

The Oxeye Daisy is difficult to control or eradicate and is a problem in pastures where beef and dairy cattle graze, as usually they will not eat it, which allows it to spread. It is also a host for several viral diseases affecting crops.

LOCATION: 

Oxeye Daisy typically grows in higher elevations in Colorado, from the foothills to near timberline.  Large populations can be found on ski area slopes, mountain roadsides and high meadows.

TREATMENT: 

The key to effective control of Oxeye Daisy is education and prevention.  It has been included in many different seed mixes, thus consumers should carefully read the label prior to planting so called “native wildflower” mixes. Digging or pulling is ineffective unless all of the plant’s creeping root system can be removed.  Small populations can be diminished by repeated pulling.  Herbicides are effective in dense stands where native plants won’t be harmed.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

If you see this plant, please contact your county weed management program or CDA.  County weed programs are a tremendous resource for treatment information and management of specific weeds in specific counties.  Find your county contact at www.colorado.gov/ag/coweedcontacts.

[Colorado Department of Agriculture]