[049] Bellis perennis, Daisy
Introduction
Bellis perennis, the Daisy, is a widespread and very common small plant, best known as a familiar weed in cultivated lawns.
There are of course many plants called daisies so we can call the species the Common Daisy, Lawn Daisy or English Daisy
Taxonomy
Kingdom – Plants
Division – Vascular Plants
Class – Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
Order – Asterales
Family – Asteraceae
Genus – Bellis
Scientific Name – Bellis perennis
Name
‘Daisy’ is derived from “day’s eye,” as the flower head close at night and reopens in the morning. Chaucer called it ‘Eye of the day.’
‘Bellis perennis’ is Latin for ‘pretty everlasting’
Description
The plant itself is insignificant and it is always the flower that is noticed.
Its small flowers are typical of Asteraceae, with a yellow centre and white ray florets. It can flower almost through the year.
(The last picture also shows a small sawfly of some type.)
Habitat and use
The Daisy is widespread in Europe and naturalised in Australia and the Americas.
It is considered a weed in lawns because it is not affected by regular mowing to keep the grass short. But in some places the flower is allowed to give the lawn a more rustic appearance.
Other Notes
I was going to say that the common daisy is not a cultivated plant but many of its larger relatives in the daisy family, Asteraceae, are cultivated. But Wikipedia says that it actually has cultivated varieties – these may be used in America.
See also
There are many much larger plants bearing daisy-like flowers. In particular, look out for [204] Ox-eye Daisy, which will also look at the Shasta Daisy.
The Species of Britain 