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max chrysanthemum, Shasta daisy, Shasta oxeye daisy

Habit Perennials, 20–60(–80+) cm.
Stems

simple or distally branched.

Basal leaves

petioles 50–80(–200+) mm, expanding into obovate to spatulate blades 50–80(–120+) × 15–25(–35+) mm, margins not lobed, usually toothed, rarely entire.

Cauline leaves

petiolate or sessile;

blades oblanceolate to lanceolate or linear, 50–120+ × 8–22+ mm, margins of mid-stem leaves usually entire proximally, regularly serrate distally.

Involucres

18–28+ mm diam.

Ray florets

21–34+;

laminae 20–30(–40+) mm.

Phyllaries

(the larger) 2–3 mm wide.

Ray cypselae

2–3(–4) mm, apices usually bare, rarely obscurely auriculate.

2n

= 90, 108.

Leucanthemum maximum

Phenology Flowering spring–summer.
Habitat Disturbed sites, meadows, seeps, clearings
Elevation 0–1500+ m (0–4900+ ft)
Distribution
from FNA
AL; CA; WY; w Europe (widely cultivated, sparingly adventive) [Introduced in North America]
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[BONAP county map]
Discussion

The name Shasta daisy of horticulture is associated also with Leucanthemum ×superbum (Bergmans ex J. Ingram) Bergmans ex D. H. Kent, which is generally thought to have been derived from hybrids between L. maximum and L. lacustre. Cultivars of “Shasta daisy” number in the dozens, including “single,” “double,” “quill,” and “shaggy” forms; they may be encountered as waifs or persisting from abandoned plantings.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 19, p. 558.
Parent taxa Asteraceae > tribe Anthemideae > Leucanthemum
Sibling taxa
L. lacustre, L. vulgare
Synonyms Chrysanthemum maximum
Name authority (Ramond) de Candolle: in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 6: 46. (1838)
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