Silver Sea-Oxeye-Daisy
Borrichia frutescens
Silver Sea-Oxeye-Daisy Is commonly found in salty environments from Maryland through the Florida Keys and west to Texas. It grows along the mangrove or saltmarsh fringe and on dune backs containing some organic matter.
Another similar plant, the Green Sea-Oxeye-Daisy is found mainly in South Florida. Click here. This plant is bushy and doesn’t sucker much, while the Silver Sea Oxeye suckers everywhere, even ten feet away.
This quality makes the silver form suited to boxed in areas where you want a full planting. I have used it in planters, along the intracoastal waterway and other sites with cement surrounding them.
This is also an edible plant, Click for more info. It is a bit bitter, yet it may be fun to try a small serving to see how you like it.
The silver leaves, two to three foot height, yellow flowers and ability to fill in a dry, sunny spot make this a great groundcover. Butterflies visit the flowers and birds, including painted buntings, eat the tiny seeds. The flower heads are a bit spiny, so don’t plant where you may brush up against it.
Various insects eat the seeds, foliage and cause galls within the stems. This makes it a source of insects for many bird species. The damage is usually not noticeable and should be tolerated.
For a mass planting in a low site, especially if it is saline, this is a great choice. Just give it its own space.