Smooth Oxeye

Scientific Name: Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet var. scabra (Dunal) Fernald

Smooth Oxeye

General Information
Usda Symbol	HEHES
Group	Dicot
Life Cycle	Perennial
Growth Habits	Forb/herb
Native Locations	HEHES

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Smooth Oxeye is planted.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

Smooth Oxeye, False Sunflower, Oxeye, Oxeye Daisy, Heliopsis Sunflower

Uses

Ethnobotanical: It is reported that American Indians made a tea from this plant as a cure for various lung ailments. Landscaping and Wildlife: Smooth oxeye is a very hardy plant that produces many attractive, yellow flowers throughout the summer. It does well in flower gardens, especially in drier areas, and is relatively maintenance free. It also makes an attractive roadside plant. Insects are attracted to its bright flowers during the summer, and birds are attracted to its seed in the fall.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description and Adaptation

Adaptation

Adaptation

Smooth Oxeye is a member of the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is a vigorous, upright, native, perennial forb growing to .4-2 meters in height. The stem is smooth while the leaves are coarsely serrated, having rough, siliceous-based hairs on both surfaces. The stems may be topped with a single, yellow flower, or may branch in to multiple stems with many yellow flowers. The flowers have 10 or more rays and are 3-7 cm in diameter. Unlike sunflowers, each ray may form a fruit that yields a viable seed. The seed is smooth and hard having four sides with fine hairs for wind distribution of seed. It generally does not have a pappus. Though it is a perennial, it is often short-lived. Distribution: This species is widely distributed across the eastern half of the United States, though it is most often found in the prairie regions of the central United States. It prefers dry soil and open spaces, but will also tolerate moist areas. It can often be found in disturbed areas.

Establishment

Smooth Oxeye can be established from seed. Planting should occur in the spring, between March and April. Cold, damp stratification for 30 days at 4o C is suggested to improve germination, but is reportedly not necessary. The seed may be drilled on 32-40 inch rows at 4.7 pounds per acre or broadcast at 5.2 pounds per acre. The target rate is 45 PLS/ft when drilled and 15 PLS/ft2 when broadcasted.

Management

Smooth Oxeye is a very hardy plant with relatively few problems, This species has proven to perform best in the 11, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Smooth Oxeye.,8+ cm (4,6 inches +) precipitation zone and moderate levels of N, P, K are desirable,

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Morphology/Physiology

Reproduction

Suitability/Use

Smooth Oxeye