Variable daisy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Variable daisy |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
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| Order: | |
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Astereae
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| Genus: |
Brachyscome
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| Species: |
B. ciliaris
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| Binomial name | |
| Brachyscome ciliaris (Labill.) Less.
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Brachyscome ciliaris, also known as the variable daisy, is a small, bushy plant. It is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. This pretty daisy grows naturally across most of temperate Australia.
What it Looks Like
The variable daisy is a bushy plant. It can grow up to about 45 centimeters (about 18 inches) tall. Its flowers can be white, pink, or even purple.
How Scientists Name It
Scientists use a system called taxonomy to name and group living things. This helps them organize all the different plants and animals.
The variable daisy was first found by a French scientist named Jacques Labillardière. He described it in his book in 1806. He first called it Bellis ciliaris.
Later, in 1832, another scientist, Christian Friedrich Lessing, changed its name. He moved it into the Brachyscome group. Since then, its official name has been Brachyscome ciliaris.
This daisy is called 'variable' because it can look quite different from one plant to another. Because of this, scientists sometimes thought different-looking plants were new species. This means the variable daisy has many other old names, which are called taxonomic synonyms. Some of these old names include Brachyscome drummondii and Brachyscome dimorphocarpa.
Scientists recognize three main types, or varieties, of the variable daisy:
- B. ciliaris var. ciliaris
- B. ciliaris var. lanuginosa
- B. ciliaris var. subintegrifolia
Where it Grows
The variable daisy is found in every state in Australia. This makes it a very widespread plant.
However, it is a bit picky about where it grows. It prefers certain types of soil, like red earths and grey sands. It often grows in areas that have been disturbed, or on the edges of salt pans. It usually avoids places with limestone or clay soils.
