Common Daisy is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in grassland, lawns and damp ground, to a mature height of up to 20cm.
The name 'Daisy' comes from Old English for 'day's eye' which describes the way the plant's flowers are only open during daylight. The Daisy, like other members of its family, has composite flowerheads made up of a densely-packed collection of small flowers or 'florets'. At the centre of the flowerhead are tubular 'disc florets' and these are surrounded by outer 'ray florets', each with a strap-shaped single petal pointing outwards. In the case of the Daisy, both floret types are present (yellow disc florets and white ray florets), but members of the Daisy family (Asteraceae) do not always have both types. For example, the Common Dandelion only has ray florets, whereas the Tansy only has disc florets.
Botanic classification and naming: Common Daisy is a member of the Daisy (Asteraceae) family. The genus name
'Bellis' identifies the plant as a Lawn-Daisy and its species name 'perennis' means 'perennial plant'.
Benefits: Daisy flowers provide food for the Cocksfoot Moth and its seed provides a winter food source for finches, sparrows and other seed-eating birds.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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