Lakeside Chautauqua, located on the Marblehead peninsula in Ottawa County Ohio
is home to the rare Lakeside Daisy which typically blooms in early May.
It was putting on quite a show.
The Lakeside daisy, Tetraneuis herbacea, is a rare, endangered species according to the federal government. It is native to the Marblehead peninsula, which is the site of a huge limestone quarry operated by Holcim – Lafarge – Marblehead Quarry.
Limestone is mined, crushed
and shipped via barge through the Great Lakes, as well as trucked throughout the area.
The Daisy was discovered by Botanist Clarence M. Weed in 1980 when he discovered it growing near Lakeside.
The flower blooms in early May, and puts on a brief, spectacular display.
The rosettes of the leaves are present the rest of the year.
It seems to thrive on barren limestone gravel and survives in areas with little competition.
Lakeside Daisy Colleen “Casey” Taylor and Ruth E. Fiscus State Nature Preserve was established by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to help protect the habitat for the Lakeside Daisy.
On a recent Advanced Training Trip hosted by the Erie County Master Gardeners, participants learned about the details about the Lakeside Daisy.
It has also been found on Kellye’s Island, growing in abandoned quarry very close to the glacial grooves.
In addition, it is also found in Castalia, Ohio.
If you are interested, place it on your calendar for early May on the Marblehead Peninsula, along the shores of Lake Erie.
You won’t be disappointed!
