Daisy

The common daisy, Bellis perennis, is a small flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. It is native to Europe and parts of western Asia but has been introduced to many other regions. The plant usually forms a low rosette of spoon-shaped leaves close to the ground. Its flower head is typically made up of many tiny yellow flowers packed together in the centre and surrounded by white ray florets that look like petals.

What appears to be a single flower is therefore actually a cluster of numerous individual flowers. Daisies can bloom over a long period, particularly where winters are mild, and their flower heads often close in dull weather or at night. They are commonly found in lawns, meadows, pastures and other grassy habitats. The daisy plays a useful role in small ecosystems.

Its flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects such as bees, hoverflies and other pollinators, especially early in the season when fewer flowering plants are available. After pollination, each tiny flower can develop into a dry fruit called an achene, which helps the plant spread its seeds. The common daisy is also well adapted to frequent mowing and grazing because its leaves and flower stalks grow from close to the ground.

For this reason, it can remain in lawns even when taller plants are repeatedly cut. Gardeners sometimes cultivate it as a low-growing ornamental plant, while its simple flower has become a familiar symbol in European cultures. Although small and widespread, the daisy contributes to plant diversity and provides food resources for many insects.