Bellis perennis Facts for Kids

Bellis perennis is a very common type of daisy found in Europe. It belongs to the Asteraceae family, which is a large group of flowering plants. Many people think of this plant when they hear the word "daisy."

Because many other plants are also called "daisy," this specific plant is sometimes called the common daisy, lawn daisy, or English daisy. It looks a bit like another plant in the same family called Leucanthemum vulgare. The common daisy is originally from western, central, and northern Europe. However, it has spread and now grows naturally in many temperate parts of the world, including the Americas and Australasia.

Quick facts for kids Bellis perennis

Scientific classification
Genus:	Bellis
Species:	perennis
Synonyms
Aster bellis E.H.L.Krause Bellis alpina Hegetschw. B. armena Boiss. B. croatica Gand. B. hortensis Mill. B. hybrida Ten. B. integrifolia DC. 1786 not Michx. 1803 B. margaritifolia Huter B. minor Garsault (nom inval.) B. perennis var. caulescens Rochebr. B. p. f. discoidea D.C.McClint. B. p. var. fagetorum Lacaita B. p. var. hybrida (Ten.) Fiori B. p. subsp. hybrida (Ten.) Nyman B. p. var. margaritifolia (Huter) Fiori B. p. var. microcephala Boiss. B. p. f. plena Sacc. B. p. f. pumila (Arv.-Touv. & Dupuy) Rouy B. p. var. pusilla N.Terracc. B. p. f. rhodoglossa Sacc. B. p. var. strobliana Bég. B. p. var. subcaulescens Martrin-Donos B. p. var. tubulosa F.J.Schultz B. p. f. tubulosa A.Kern. B. pumila Arv.-Touv. & Dupuy B. pusilla (N.Terracc.) Pignatti B. scaposa Gilib. (nom inval.) B. validula Gand. Erigeron perennis (L.) Sessé & Moc.

What's in a Daisy's Name?
How to Identify a Common Daisy
Where Do Daisies Grow?
Can You Eat Daisies?
Daisy Pictures
More Daisy Images
See also

What's in a Daisy's Name?

The famous scientist Carl Linnaeus gave the common daisy its scientific name, Bellis perennis, in 1753.

The word Bellis comes from Latin. It means "pretty" or "beautiful." An ancient writer named Pliny the Elder even wrote about how beautiful daisies are in meadows.
The word perennis also comes from Latin. It means "that lasts the whole year" or "perennial." This is because the plant lives for more than two years.

How to Identify a Common Daisy

Daisies or Bellis perennis in Coudersport, PA

The common daisy is a small, low-growing plant. It has short underground stems called rhizomes. Its leaves are small, rounded, or spoon-shaped, usually about 2 to 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) long. These leaves grow flat against the ground.

The "flower" of a daisy is actually made of many tiny flowers grouped together. This is called a flower head. Each flower head is about 2 to 3 centimeters (1 inch) across. What looks like white petals are actually individual flowers called ray flowers. In the yellow center, there are many tiny yellow flowers called disk flowers. Both types of flowers work together to attract insects. These flower heads grow on stems that don't have leaves, and they can be 2 to 10 centimeters (1 to 4 inches) tall.

Where Do Daisies Grow?

Bellis perennis is originally from Northern Africa (like Morocco), Southwestern Asia, and Europe. However, it has been widely introduced and now grows naturally in many other places around the world.

Daisies often grow in grasslands, including lawns. Once they start growing, they can be quite hard to remove. Because they spread easily, some people consider them a type of invasive weed.

Can You Eat Daisies?

Yes, you can actually eat parts of the common daisy!

The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked. Just know that older leaves can taste a bit bitter.
The flower buds and petals can also be eaten raw. You can add them to sandwiches, soups, and salads.
Some people even use daisies to make tea or as a vitamin supplement.