Bellis perennis(/ˈbɛləspəˈrɛnəs/),[2][3]thedaisy,is a European species of thefamilyAsteraceae,often considered the archetypalspeciesof the namedaisy.To distinguish this species from other plants known as daisies, it is sometimes qualified or known ascommon daisy,lawn daisyorEnglish daisy.
| Bellis perennis | |
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Scientific classification
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Bellis |
| Species: | B. perennis
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| Binomial name | |
| Bellis perennis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editBellis perennisis aperennialherbaceous plantgrowing to 20 centimetres (8 inches) in height.[4]It has short creepingrhizomesand rosettes of small rounded or spoon-shaped leaves that are from2 to 5 cm (3⁄4–2 in) long and grow flat to the ground. The species habitually colonises lawns, and is difficult to eradicate by mowing, hence the term 'lawn daisy'. It blooms from March to September[4]and exhibits the phenomenon ofheliotropism,in which the flowers follow the position of the sun in the sky.
Theflowerheadsare composite, about2 to 3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4in) in diameter, in the form of apseudanthium,consisting of many sessile flowers with whiteray florets(often tipped red) and yellow disc florets. Eachinflorescenceis borne on a single leafless stem2 to 10 cm (3⁄4–4 in), rarely 15 cm (6 in) tall. Thecapitulum,or disc of florets, is surrounded by two rows of greenbractsknown as "phyllaries".[5]The achenes are without pappus.[6]
Etymology
edit
Bellismay come frombellus,Latin for "pretty", andperennisis Latin for "everlasting".[7]
The name "daisy", possibly originating with this plant,[4]is considered a corruption of "day's eye",[8]because the whole head closes at night and opens in the morning.Geoffrey Chaucercalled it "eye of the day". In Medieval times,Bellis perennisor the English Daisy was commonly known as "Mary's Rose".[9]
Historically, the plant has also been widely known asbruisewort,and occasionallywoundwort(although this name is now more closely associated with the genusStachys). It is also known asbone flower.[10]
Distribution and habitat
editBellis perennisis native to western, central and northern Europe, including remote islands such as theFaroe Islands,but has become widelynaturalisedin mosttemperateregions, including the Americas[11][12]and Australasia. It prefers field-like habitats.[4]
Cultivation
editThe examples and perspective in this articlemay not represent aworldwide viewof the subject.(April 2023) |
The species generally blooms from early to midsummer, although when grown under ideal conditions, it has a very long flowering season and will even produce a few flowers in the middle of mild winters.[7][13]
It can generally be grown where minimum temperatures are above −35 °C (−30 °F), in full sun to partial shade conditions, and requires little or no maintenance. It has no known serious insect or disease problems and can generally be grown in most well-drained soils. The plant may be propagated either by seed after the last frost, or by division after flowering.[7][14]
Though not native to the United States,[15]the species is still considered a valuable ground cover in certain garden settings (e.g., as part of English or cottage inspired gardens, as well as spring meadows where low growth and some colour is desired in parallel with minimal care and maintenance while helping to crowd outnoxious weedsonce established and naturalised).
Numerous single- anddouble-floweredvarieties are in cultivation, producing flat or spherical blooms in a range of sizes (1 to 6 cm or3⁄8to2+3⁄8in) and colours (red, pink and white). They are generally grown fromseedasbiennialbeddingplants. They can also be purchased asplugsin spring.
It has been reported to be mostly self-fertilizing, but some plants may be self-sterile.[16]
Uses
editBellis perennismay be used as apotherb.Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads,[17]or cooked, though the leaves become increasingly astringent with age.[7]Flower buds and petals can be eaten raw insandwiches,soups and salads.[13]It is also used as a tea and as a vitamin supplement.[11]
B. perennishasastringentproperties and has been used inherbal medicine.[18]
Daisies have traditionally been used for makingdaisy chainsin children's games.[19]
Culture
editDaisyis used as a feminine name, and sometimes as anicknamefor people named Margaret, after the French name for theoxeye daisy,marguerite.
The daisy is the national flower ofthe Netherlands.[20]
Gallery
edit- Bellis perennis
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Leaves suddenly broaden to their ends -
Leaves frequently prostrate -
Flower head maturing to a cone -
Immature flowers often particularly reddened -
Horticultural example
References
edit- ^"Bellis perennisL. "The Plant List;Version 1.Royal Botanic Gardens, KewandMissouri Botanical Garden.2010.RetrievedNovember 12,2012.
- ^"Bellis".Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary.Merriam-Webster.
- ^"philosophia perennis".Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary.Merriam-Webster.
- ^abcdSpellenberg, Richard (2001) [1979].National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region(rev ed.). Knopf. p. 359.ISBN978-0-375-40233-3.
- ^Stace, C. A.(2010).New Flora of the British Isles(Third ed.). Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. p. 749.ISBN9780521707725.
- ^Parnell, J. and Curtis. 2012.Webb's An Irish Flora.Cork University PressISBN978-1-85918-478-3
- ^abcd"Bellis perennis L."Missouri Botanical Garden Bellis perennis.
- ^"daisy facts, information, pictures – Encyclopedia.com articles about daisy".www.encyclopedia.com.
- ^The Plant-Lore and Garden-Craft of Shakespeare,byHenry Nicholson Ellacombe.W. Satchell and Company, London, 1884
- ^Nowick, Elaine (2014).Historical Common Names of Great Plains Plants, with Scientific Names Index: Volume II: Scientific Names Index.Lulu.com. p. 66.ISBN978-1-60962-060-8.
- ^ab"Bellis perennisLinnaeus ".Flora of North America.
- ^"PLANTS Profile for Bellis perennis (lawndaisy) | USDA PLANTS".plants.usda.gov.Archived fromthe originalon 2010-03-06.
- ^ab"Bellis perennis L".Plants for a Future database.
- ^"USDA Zones".USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-02-27.Retrieved2012-05-02.
- ^"USDA Plants Profile forBellis perennis(lawndaisy) ".usda.gov.
- ^Warwick, S. I.; Briggs, D. (September 1979)."The Genecology of Lawn Weeds".New Phytologist.83(2): 509–536.doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1979.tb07616.x.ISSN0028-646X.
- ^Budwig, Johanna(1956).Krebs – ein Fettproblem, richtige Wahl und Verwendung der Fette.Hyperion-Verlag, Freiburg im Breisgau, p. 44: recipe for cancer patients.
- ^Howard, Michael (1987).Traditional Folk Remedies.Century, p. 129.
- ^"Children's 'right to play'".BBC News.BBC. 2002-08-07.Retrieved2008-11-02.
- ^"Madeliefje verkozen tot nationale bloem".4 June 2023.
External links
edit
Data related toBellis perennisat Wikispecies
Media related toBellis perennisat Wikimedia Commons
