Lawn Daisy, Common Daisy, English Daisy
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Asterales, Family: Asteraceae, Genus: Bellis, Species: Bellis perennis · Asteraceae (Daisy, Aster, or Sunflower family) · Simple, deciduous
Species
Bellis perennis
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Family
Asteraceae (Daisy, Aster, or Sunflower family)
Shape
Spatulate to obovate with a tapering base
Size
Approximately 1 to 2 inches long, typical for pressed herbarium specimens of this species
Margin
Serrate to crenate with shallow, rounded teeth
Arrangement
Basal rosette
Rarity
Very Common
Color & Pattern
Muted brownish-green due to pressing and drying, uniform with a prominent lighter midrib
Venation Pattern
Pinnate and reticulate with a prominent central midrib
Texture & Surface
Papery and flattened from pressing, originally slightly pubescent and succulent
Description
Bellis perennis is a low-growing perennial herbaceous plant featuring a basal rosette of rounded or spatulate leaves and a slender, leafless flowering stem topped with a composite flower head consisting of white ray florets and yellow central disc florets
Key Features
Basal rosette of spatulate leaves with shallowly toothed margins, combined with a single long, leafless peduncle supporting a white and yellow daisy head
Habitat
Lawns, meadows, pastures, grassy fields, and waste areas preferring moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade
Geographic Range
Native to western, central, and northern Europe, but now widely naturalized across North America, New Zealand, and temperate regions globally
Condition Notes
Fair to Good as a pressed botanical specimen; typical darkening and drying associated with herbarium preservation
Interesting Facts
The species name 'perennis' means everlasting, and the plant has historically been used to symbolize innocence and purity. The flower heads close at night and open in the morning, giving rise to the old English name 'day's eye'
Medicinal & Uses
Traditionally used in herbal medicine as a wound healer, cough remedy, and mild astringent. Young leaves and petals are edible and can be added to salads
Ecological Role
Provides early-season nectar and pollen sources for various pollinators, particularly bees, hoverflies, and butterflies
Similar Species
False Dandelion (Hypochaeris radicata) and Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), distinguished by leaf shape, growth habit, and stem characteristics
Foraging Tips
Look in well-manicured lawns and damp grassy meadows during spring and summer when they bloom profusely
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic and generally considered safe for humans and pets