Mauranthemum paludosum aka Sunflower

Mauranthemum paludosum is in Asteraceae, the daisy family. It is native to eastern and southern Spain. Its home range also takes in the Balearic Islands. It grows wild in northwestern Africa as well. Kew places it in a subtropical climate zone. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The RHS uses the name Leucanthemum paludosum for this plant. It also has the name Chrysanthemum paludosum. People call it annual marguerite and miniature shasta daisy.

This small plant grows in clumps of dark green leaves. The leaves have toothed edges and fall as part of their yearly cycle. The RHS calls it an annual, sometimes a biennial. That means it lives for one year, sometimes two. Kew gives a wider range, from annual to perennial. A perennial lives for more than two years. In gardens, it reaches about 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres] tall. Its spread falls within that same range. This size suits beds, borders, and pots. The white blooms have yellow centres and a single flower form. They bring colour for a long stretch of summer. Take off spent blooms often to help the show last.

Give this plant full sun and shelter from wind. The RHS lists sites that face east, south, or west. It grows in chalk, clay, loam, or sand. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. For growing it, the RHS advises soil with a fair level of nutrients. The soil should hold moisture but let excess water drain. Its profile also lists soil that drains well as suitable. The UK hardiness rating is H4. This covers minimum temperatures from 14–23°F [−10 to −5°C]. The rating describes how it fares in UK growing conditions.

The RHS suggests this daisy for city gardens and courtyards. It also lists informal cottage gardens and gardens by the coast. Borders beside walls are another choice in its profile. Grow it in flower beds or pots on a patio. You can also cut the blooms for use as flowers. These uses suit both borders and pots. Grow new plants from seed. Keep taking off faded blooms while the plant flowers. Cut the stems to ground level once flowering ends.

The RHS reports few disease problems with this plant. Aphids and chrysanthemum eelworm may still attack it. The supplied profile names these pests. The evidence does not say how fruit or seeds look. It makes no claims about parts people can eat. It makes no claims about use as medicine either. The supplied sources do not assess whether it is toxic. These gaps do not mean the plant is safe to eat.