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Bellis perennis

life science Maturity 5-7 Next article →

The common daisy, known scientifically as Bellis perennis, is a perennial herbaceous plant. It belongs to the Asteraceae family. This species is often considered the archetypal daisy. Because many plants are called daisies, this one is often called the English daisy or lawn daisy. It is a hardy plant that grows in low rosettes. These rosettes consist of small, rounded, or spoon-shaped leaves. The leaves grow flat to the ground. The plant also has short, creeping rhizomes.

Sea of Daisies at Kew Gardens
Sea of Daisies at Kew Gardens

The structure of a daisy flower is quite complex. It is actually a pseudanthium, which is a false flower. This means the single head is actually a collection of many tiny, sessile flowers. The outer part consists of white ray florets. These florets are often tipped with red. The center contains yellow disc florets. This central part is called the capitulum. Two rows of green bracts, called phyllaries, surround the disc. The plant's seeds are called achenes. These achenes do not have a pappus, which is a tuft of hair found on other seeds.

One of the most interesting behaviors of Bellis perennis is heliotropism. This is a process where the flower heads follow the position of the sun. As the sun moves across the sky, the flowers track its movement. The plant typically blooms from March to September. However, it can have a very long flowering season. If conditions are ideal, it may even produce flowers during mild winters. The plant grows on a single, leafless stem. This stem is rarely tall.

Sea of Daisies at Kew Gardens
Sea of Daisies at Kew Gardens

History shows that people have given this plant many names. The name Bellis may come from the Latin word bellus, meaning "pretty." The name perennis comes from the Latin word for "everlasting." The common name "daisy" might come from the phrase "day's eye." This is because the flower head closes at night and opens in the morning. The writer Geoffrey Chaucer called it the "eye of the day." In medieval times, it was known as "Mary's Rose." It also had names like bruisewort, woundwort, and bone flower.

Bellis perennis is native to northern, central, and western Europe. This includes remote places like the Faroe Islands. It has since become naturalized in many temperate regions. You can find it in the Americas and Australasia. It prefers habitats that are like fields. In gardens, it is used as a ground cover. It can help crowd out noxious weeds once it is established. The plant can grow in most well-drained soils. It prefers temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius. It thrives in full sun or partial shade.

Sea of Daisies at Kew Gardens
Sea of Daisies at Kew Gardens

Humans have used the daisy for many different purposes. The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads. As the leaves get older, they become more astringent. The flower buds and petals can be eaten in soups, sandwiches, or salads. It is also used to make tea and vitamin supplements. Because of its astringent properties, it has been used in herbal medicine. In many cultures, children use the flowers to make daisy chains. The daisy is also the national flower of the Netherlands.

Sea of Daisies at Kew Gardens
Sea of Daisies at Kew Gardens

There are many varieties of the daisy available for cultivation. Some varieties have single flowers, while others have double flowers. These can produce blooms that are flat or spherical. The sizes can range from 10 to 25 millimeters in diameter. They also come in colors like pink, white, and red. Gardeners often grow them from seed as biennial bedding plants. They can also be bought as plugs in the spring. While most plants are self-fertilizing, some may be self-sterile. This makes the daisy a versatile plant for many different types of gardens.

Sea of Daisies at Kew Gardens
Sea of Daisies at Kew Gardens
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