Oxeye Daisies - May Magnificence

May is the month when the Oxeye Daisy, our tallest British daisy, shows its fresh white and gold glory.  When you look at a decent-sized area of them, such as we have in Colwall churchyard, it is hard to understand why they aren’t as universally loved as bluebells.  Too often they are banished as “weeds” from gardens and the countryside.

© Copyright Evelyn Simak 

“Good for pollinators” is another way to describe them.  But what does that mean?   So far in our churchyard 126 plant and 140 insect species have been recorded.  The Oxeye Daisy is a good place to start if you want to understand how they all fit together into an ecosystem.  The large yellow “landing pad” flower centre, distinctive scent and evening luminescence all work together to maximise its attractiveness.  It is also a superb food source of both pollen and nectar for Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell and other butterflies, bees, ants, hoverflies and beetles.  The plant itself is also a food source.  Some flies feed on the flowers and then lay their eggs on the flower heads in which their larvae live and pupate.   The larvae of several species of moth and micro-moth feed on the roots.  All this activity does not escape the notice of predator insect species like spiders, damsel flies, ladybirds, sawflies and insectivorous beetles.   When the sun is shining a patch of daisies becomes a frantic and dangerous place.

The best time to look for insects on Oxeye Daisies is a sunny, still day.  When there is a breeze or rain the insects may be sheltering below. 

New noticeboard

On Sunday June 1st we will be unveiling a new churchyard display board.  Do come along and find out what we are doing for nature and people in this special place.  Come for coffee and cake at 11:15 ready for the unveiling at 11:30.