Leucanthemum × superbum

Leucanthemum × superbum
Flower of the cultivar 'Becky'
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Leucanthemum
Species: L. x superbum
Binomial name
Leucanthemum × superbum
(Bergmans ex J.W.Ingram) D.H.Kent
Stereo image
Right frame 
Shasta Daisy seeds

Leucanthemum × superbum (or Shasta daisy) is a commonly grown flowering herbaceous perennial plant with the classic daisy appearance of white petals (ray florets) around a yellow disc, similar to the oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. but larger. Shasta daisies are characterized by a distinct odor which some find unpleasant.

It originated as a hybrid produced in 1890 by the American horticulturist Luther Burbank from a number of daisies. First, he crossed Leucanthemum vulgare with Leucanthemum maximum (Ramond) DC.; this double hybrid was itself crossed with Leucanthemum lacustre (Brot.) Samp.[1][2] The resulting Leucanthemum triple hybrid was crossed with Nipponanthemum nipponicum (Franch. ex Maxim.) Kitam., creating an intergeneric cross of species from three continents.[1][2] It was named after Mount Shasta, because its petals were the color of the snow. Some members of the genus are considered noxious weeds, but the Shasta daisy remains a favorite garden plant and groundcover.

Many cultivars are suitable for cut flowers, such as 'Becky', 'Esther Read', 'Silberprinzesschen' (Silver Princess), 'Snow Lady', 'Tinkerbell', 'Wirral Pride', 'Wirral Supreme'. The cultivar 'T.E. Killin'[3] has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

References

  1. 1 2 Ruth Rogers Clausen and Thomas Christopher. Essential Perennials: The Complete Reference to 2700 Perennials for the Home Garden. Timber Press, 2015. p. 250. ISBN 9781604696721
  2. 1 2 Maureen Gilmer. "Discovering a Daisy". The Daily Journal. 15 August 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Leucanthemum × superbum 'T.E. Killin'". Retrieved 14 July 2013.
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