Field daisy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Field daisy |
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Brachyscome
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B. decipiens
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| Brachyscome decipiens |
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The Field daisy (Brachyscome decipiens) is a beautiful wild flower. It is a type of perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. This plant is found only in Australia. It has small white or pale blue flowers. The field daisy belongs to the Asteraceae family. This family also includes sunflowers and dandelions.
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What is a Field Daisy?
The field daisy is a small plant. Its leaves grow in a circle close to the ground. These leaves can be shaped like an egg or a narrow oval. They are smooth and can be from 2 to 19 centimeters long. They are also about 5 to 37 millimeters wide. Sometimes, the leaves might have a purplish color near their base.
How to Spot a Field Daisy
The flowers of the field daisy are quite special. They have smooth bracts, which are like small leaf-like structures. These bracts are arranged in two rows around the flower head. They are about 5.5 to 9 millimeters long. Their edges are often purple and have tiny glands.
The flower heads are white or light blue. Each flower head is about 12 to 18 millimeters wide. The center of the flower is bright yellow. The flower sits on a long, smooth stalk called a peduncle. This stalk can be 8 to 20 centimeters long. You can usually see these flowers blooming from September to March.
Field Daisy Seeds
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces small fruits. These fruits are actually one-seeded. They are brown and flattened. Each fruit is shaped like an egg. They are about 2.3 to 4.6 millimeters long. They are also about 1.2 to 1.7 millimeters wide.
Naming the Field Daisy
The scientific name for the field daisy is Brachyscome decipiens. This plant was first officially described in 1847. A famous botanist named Joseph Dalton Hooker gave it its name. He published his description in a science journal.
The second part of its name, decipiens, comes from a Latin word. The Latin word decipio means "to trick" or "to cheat." It's an interesting name for a plant!
Where Field Daisies Grow
Field daisies grow in certain parts of Australia. You can find them in subalpine areas. These are areas just below the tree line in mountains. They also grow in mountainous woodlands. Sometimes, they are found in swamps.
You can spot field daisies in three Australian states:
