Common Daisy (Bellis perennis)

common daisy

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Many of us have made daisy chains as a child. But did you know that these plants are edible and have medicinal properties? Before you start digging them out of your lawn and throwing them away, consider some fun facts about these summer plants.

Overview

  • Scientific Name: Bellis perennis
  • Common Name/s: common daisy, lawn daisy, English daisy
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Origin: native
  • Habitat: meadows, grasslands
  • Flowering Season: April to June

Where Are Common Daisies Found?

Its scientific name is Bellis perennis. A common daisy, which also goes by the name English daisy, can be found in your garden or growing on meadows. If you don’t mow your garden as often, you’ll see more daisies, and they’ll flower more. Also, these flowers are widespread throughout the UK and grow in short grassland. They can grow on any type of soil, making them immensely popular plants. They’re also extremely resistant to trampling and sometimes even mowing.

Seasons to Find Them

These flowers are typically planted in late winter but can sometimes be planted in early spring. Seeds from this plant need to be exposed to direct sunlight to germinate, so you don’t have to bury them completely under the soil. Alternatively, sprinkle the seeds across fresh soil and leave them for up to 25 days to germinate. Keep the seeds up to three inches apart.

How to Identify a Common Daisy

Common daisies in the field

The common daisy features spoon-shaped leaves that are formed at the base of the plant. These leaves are close to the ground, and you can typically find a common daisy in short grass.

This flower also features a long stem that supports the flower head.

A little-known fact about the common daisy is that the flower head is a combination of tiny flowers as opposed to one single flower. These tiny flowers make up a yellow centre with white petals surrounding them.

Are Common Daisies Edible?

The Bellis perennis flower is edible. In particular, you can eat the buds, petals, and leaves raw or make them into a herbal tea. They’re also great in salads. The leaves may have a sour flavour, but the flower buds can be used instead of capers.

Furthermore, daisies are often used in soups, and the buds act as a great sandwich filler—much like watercress. Despite its bitter taste, you can use the disc florets for decoration when preparing food, so add them to your menu.

What Is a Common Daisy Used For?

The common daisy flower has medicinal properties that make it an excellent source of healing benefits. In particular, some people consume daisy tea for liver or kidney disorders, coughs, pain, soreness, and inflammation. Additionally, it can be used as a drying agent, and it’s also known for preventing problems during childbirth.

These medicinal properties work because wild daisies contain saponins—chemicals that help skin cells produce more collagen than usual.

Furthermore, it’s well-known that this plant is being widely used in different skincare products. It can reduce the appearance of dark spots by lightening and brightening your complexion. What’s more, this type of daisy contains exfoliating acids, which can help with the skin’s natural turnover—encouraging a faster healing process. If you have sensitive skin, it’s also common to use these plants to prevent pigmentations. Lastly, it’s also believed that daisies can help prevent sun damage.

Are Common Daisies Perennials?

Yes. This type of daisy can reproduce itself by seed distribution and can flower for several years continuously. These plants will return every summer or spring until winter. Word of caution— they can aggressively take over lawns, so if you don’t want to see them every year, remove the flowers before they begin seeding.

How a Common Daisy Helps Wildlife

Daises on your lawn can attract pollinating insects and the birds that eat them. Additionally, a common daisy can also improve the biodiversity in your garden since they attract small mammals to eat the seeds in its yellow disc.

These flowers can look beautiful on lawns and provide an array of health and skincare benefits. How do you use daisies? Do you have any interesting facts about them? If so, let us know any additional information in the comments.

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