Grass daisy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grass daisy |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Brachyscome
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| Species: |
B. graminea
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| Binomial name | |
| Brachyscome graminea (Labill.) F.Muell.
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The Grass Daisy (Brachyscome graminea) is a pretty plant often called a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It belongs to the Asteraceae family, which is also known as the daisy family. You can only find the Grass Daisy in Australia, making it an endemic species. Its flowers look like small daisies, usually in shades of mauve-pink or purple, with a bright yellow middle.
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What Does the Grass Daisy Look Like?
The Grass Daisy is a plant that grows from thin stems. These stems can come from the bottom of the plant or from higher up. Its branches are usually weak and trail along the ground. They can grow up to about 70 centimeters (27 inches) long.
The stems might be smooth or have tiny, soft, sticky hairs. The leaves grow from the base of the plant and along the stems. They are often narrow and shaped like an egg, or they can be more like a line. These leaves are usually 2 to 16 centimeters (0.8 to 6.3 inches) long and 0.1 to 1 centimeter (0.04 to 0.4 inches) wide. They have sharp tips and no stalk.
Flowers and Fruit
The edges of the leaves are smooth, and sometimes they feel a bit thick. They can be smooth or have a few scattered hairs. The flower petals are about 8 to 10 millimeters (0.31 to 0.39 inches) long. They can be white or a lovely mauve color.
The whole flower head is about 8 to 17 millimeters (0.31 to 0.67 inches) across. The center of the flower is bright yellow. There are 15 to 20 overlapping green parts under the flower, called bracts. These bracts are narrow, slightly toothed, and rounded at the tip.
After the flower, the plant produces small brown fruits. These fruits are shaped like an egg, feel sticky, and are about 1.6 to 2.4 millimeters (0.06 to 0.09 inches) long. Grass Daisies usually bloom from October to May.
How the Grass Daisy Got Its Name
The Grass Daisy, Brachyscome graminea, was first officially described in 1858. This was done by a scientist named Ferdinand Von Mueller. He published his description in a book called Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.
The second part of its scientific name, graminea, is a Latin word. It means "grassy" or "of grass." This name probably describes the plant's thin, grass-like leaves.
Where Does the Grass Daisy Live?
The Grass Daisy is found in different parts of Australia.
New South Wales
In New South Wales, this daisy is quite common. You can find it growing in wet areas along the coast. It also grows on cliff edges and in freshwater swamps and streams in higher, mountainous areas.
Victoria
In Victoria, the Grass Daisy is also widespread. It grows in salty coastal marshes, especially from the Glenelg River area all the way to Mallacoota. At higher altitudes, it can be found in freshwater swamps and streams near places like Benambra and Omeo.
