Bellis perennis

Bellis perennis is a common European species of daisy, of the Asteraceae family, often considered the archetypal species of that name. Many related plants also share the name "daisy", so to distinguish this species from other daisies it is sometimes qualified as common daisy, lawn daisy or English daisy. Historically, it has sometimes been called "bruisewort" and occasionally "woundwort" (although the common name "woundwort" is now more closely associated with Stachys). Bellis perennis is native to western, central and northern Europe, but widely naturalised in most temperate regions including the Americas and Australasia.

Description

Bellis perennis has a rosette of leaves at the base of the plant; a deep taproot; a stemless flower; and one flower per stem. The species habitually colonises lawns, and is difficult to eradicate by mowing - hence the term 'lawn daisy'. Wherever it appears it is often considered an invasive weed.

Cultivation and uses

Bellis perennis is a common ornamental plant in gardens. Numerous single- and double-flowered varieties are in cultivation, producing flat or spherical blooms in a range of sizes and colours. They are generally grown from seed as biennial bedding plants. They can also be purchased as plugs in Spring. The cultivar 'Tasso series' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

In the language of flowers, the daisy symbolises innocence and purity. It was used in the Middle Ages for treating wounds, hence some of its old names, such as "bruisewort".

See also

• List of Award of Garden Merit daisies
• Asteraceae
• Daisy

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