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Daisy
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Daisy

Bellis perennis

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameDaisy
DescriptionCharming perennial featuring classic white ray florets (petals) surrounding a bright yellow disc center, creating the quintessential daisy appearance beloved worldwide. Flowers close at night and open with sunrise—hence the name 'day's eye.' Low-growing rosettes of spoon-shaped leaves produce cheerful blooms from early spring through fall, carpeting lawns and meadows. Symbol of innocence and childhood, daisies are the flower of daisy chains and 'he loves me, he loves me not' games.
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusBellis
TribeAstereae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaRay florets - Br % ♀ K0 C∞ A0 G(2), Disk florets - Br ⊕ ⚥ K0 C(5) A(5) G(2)

Composite flower head (capitulum). Ray florets - Bracteate, bilaterally symmetrical, female, no sepals (modified to pappus or absent), numerous fused petals forming strap-shaped ray, no stamens, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Disk florets - Bracteate, radially symmetrical, bisexual, no sepals, 5 fused petals forming tube, 5 fused stamens, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary

Features
  • Name 'daisy' from Old English 'dæges eage' (day's eye) because flowers close at night and open at dawn. 'Bellis' from Latin 'bellus' (beautiful). 'Perennis' means perennial (long-lasting). Also called 'bruisewort' for traditional use treating bruises. One of most recognized flowers worldwide
  • Flowers 0.75-1.25 inches (2-3 cm) across with composite head (capitulum). White ray florets (often tinged pink underneath) surround yellow disc florets in center. Cultivated varieties include double forms with all ray florets, and pink or red forms. Flowers borne singly on leafless stems 2-8 inches tall
  • Perennial forming low rosettes of leaves. Blooms early spring through fall (March-November), most prolific in spring. Individual flowers last 7-10 days. Spreads by seed and short stolons. Often considered lawn weed but valued in wildflower meadows and cottage gardens
  • Grows 2-8 inches (5-20 cm) tall with low, spreading habit. Forms rosettes 3-6 inches across. Lifespan of several years. Propagated by seed (self-seeds readily), division of rosettes, or separating stolons. Germinates easily, can become invasive in lawns
  • Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Now naturalized worldwide in temperate regions including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Found in lawns, meadows, pastures, roadsides, and disturbed areas. Thrives in short grass and mowed areas
  • Adapts to full sun or partial shade. Prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates various conditions. Very hardy and resilient, survives mowing and foot traffic. Thrives in cool weather, may go dormant in extreme heat. Requires minimal care once established
  • Young leaves edible in salads (slightly bitter). Flowers used in herbal medicine for coughs, wounds, and skin conditions. Attracts bees and beneficial insects. Deer resistant. Popular for daisy chains and children's games. Considered weed in manicured lawns but valued in naturalized settings. Symbol of innocence, purity, and new beginnings

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificBellis perennis
English (Alternate)Common daisy, Lawn daisy, English daisy
Hindiगुलबहार (Gulbahaar), डेज़ी (Daisy), डेज़ी का फूल (Daisy ka phool)
Tamilசிறு பூண்டு (sirup poondu), வெளிராதவன் (Veliiradhavan),டெய்சி பூ (Daisy Poo)
Teluguడైసీ పువ్వు (Daisi Puvvu), జర్బెరా (Jarbhera), ఆఫ్రికన్ డైసీ (African Daisy), బొడ్డు మల్లె (Boddu Malle)
Malayalamഡെയ്സി (Daisy), ബെല്ലിസ് പെരെന്നിസ് (Bellis perennis)
Kannadaಡೈಸಿ (Daisi)
Sanskritशतमञ्जरी (Shatamanjari)
Bengaliবেলিস পেরেনিস (Belis Perenis), ছোট ডেইজি ফুল (Chhoto Daisy Phul)
Frenchpâquerette
Russianмаргаритка (margaritka)
Spanishmargarita común
GermanGänseblümchen

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.