Darling Daisies

Daisies (Bellis perennis) - taken 26/03/17.

Clade - Angiosperms

Order - Asterales

Family - Asteraceae

Genus - Bellis

Species - Bellis perennis

B. perennis, or the Common daisy, has many historical names, including "Bruisewort" and "Woundwort", in reference to its medicinal properties and uses. Daisies are perennial herbaceous plants, with small rosettes of delicate white flowers, with the ends of the petals occasionally being tinted purple. The flower-heads form a pseudanthium (a type of inflorescence, in which anything from a small cluster to hundreds of flowers are grouped together to form a single flower. Each flower may be referred to as a floret). Each floret is attached to one single stem, about 5-10cm in height.

Daisies occupy lawn habitats, and often spread to carpet lawns. The plant is notoriously difficult to eradicate from lawns, even when mowing, as they just grow back! Generally, it is considered a weed and lawn-pest. B. perennis is native to many parts of Europe, and it has naturalised in regions such as North America and even Australasia. These pretty little flowers usually bloom in mid-spring to summertime. These plants have no known serious insect-pest or disease issues, and they grow best in well-drained soils.

Daisies are useful in herbal medicines and for culinary uses too. This plant may be used as a potherb (plant leaves eaten as vegetables), and the leaves, buds and petals can be eaten raw, or used in cooking. B. perennis has astringent properties (those that shrink or limit the growth of body tissues, and when applied externally to open wounds, they cause mild coagulation of skin proteins and these harden to protect the skin). In ancient Rome, bandage would be soaked in the juice of crushed daisies and these would then be applied to open battle-wounds in order to help them heal without contracting an infection. Another use of daisies is in the making of "daisy-chains"; an activity I used to love as a child on a sunny day, sat out on the lawn.

The Latin name for daisies is Bellis perennis, with "Bellis" meaning "pretty" and "perennis" meaning "everlasting". The flower is suggested to represent children and innocence.