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Engelmann’s daisy is a native, cool-season perennial which can grow up to three feet tall. The plant produces a basal rosette of leaves that can grow eight inches long. Leaves are very deeply cleft or almost divided. Coarse hair can been found on both the leaves and stems of the plant. The vegetation remains green throughout the winter, and begins to flower in May. The flower head elongates during the spring months. Engelmann’s daisy flower heads are made up of yellow ray and disk flowers. They measure about one to two inches in diameter. During extreme heat, the petals of the plant fold downward.
Management
Engelmann’s daisy is rarely planted as a monoculture planting but as a component of a range seeding mixture. Twelve months of grazing deferment should be planned and applied to allow plant establishment. Areas with heavy deer populations should consider the impact and added maintenance associated with attempting to establish this species. Proper management of Engelmann’s daisy is required to ensure the plant is not overgrazed or over utilized by livestock or wildlife. Consult your local NRCS Field Office for assistance with planning and applying prescribed grazing.
Control
Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to provide specific information. USDA NRCS does not guarantee or warranty the products and control methods named, and other products may be equally effective.
Uses
Livestock: Engelmann’s daisy is rarely found on overgrazed pastures due to its palatability by livestock. Cattle, sheep, and goats can all benefit from the high protein and digestibility obtained from this species. Crude protein can reach as high as twenty-five percent in early spring. Livestock, like wildlife, can benefit from grazing on Engelmann’s daisy before warm-season varieties become available.
Wildlife: This species benefits wildlife in several ways. Deer and rabbits enjoy feeding on Engelmann’s daisy. It has high protein content and is available earlier in the year than warm season vegetation. Engelmann’s daisy also provides cover for small mammals and many species of birds.
Erosion Control: Engelmann’s daisy is commonly planted on slopes like roadsides and embankments to help reduce the potential of soil erosion.
Weediness
This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, state natural resource, or state agriculture department regarding its status and use.
Establishment
Planting should be done in late summer or in the fall. Sow seed ¼ to ¾ inch deep in a well prepared, firm seedbed. The full seeding rate for Engelmann’s daisy is fifteen pounds of pure live seed (pls) per acre. When planting this as a component of a seed mixture, the seeding rate should be adjusted to the desired percent of the mix. Ideal plant spacing would be two to three plants per square yard. Fertilizer applications will vary depending on individual soil samples. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus should be considered to bring the fertility up to a medium level. Twenty pounds of a mixture of these three fertilizers will normally provide this level of fertility; however, a soil sample should always be taken before applying fertilizer. Information via USDA NRCS Plant Guide
Englemann's Daisy photo credit: Clarence A. Rechenthin. Provided by USDA NRCS East Texas PMC (ETPMC)