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| English or Lawn Daisy; Bellis perennis L. |
Sunflower Family; COMPOSITÆ (ASTERACEÆ)
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| A common, notorious lawn weed is this plant, often called English Daisy. Native in Europe, it is the original Daisy: from its
flowers being called in Old English, "the day's eye." Now, dozens of other plants are also known as daisies of one kind or another. |
| It is a low, spreading, perennial herb, sending aloft from tightly clustered leaves. Elegant stems bear the familiar flowers
1/2 to 1 inch wide, yellow-centered, ringed with white or pink-tinged rays. It prefers rich, moist soil, and plenty of sunshine, hence it loves
lawns offering such conditions. Mowing doesn't faze it. Unmowed, in shade, the flowerstems sometimes stretch up to nearly 10 inches long. Capable
of blooming any month of the year, April and May mark its really conspicuous period. |
| Some gardeners encourage daisies on their lawns; others pour poison on them. Some grow them in flower borders, either in the natural state or in new and improved, revised and enlarged, garden versions. Lacking significant medicinal value, it does pack a spicy flavor. The flowers added to salads make an attractive, gratifying, colorful garnish. |
Seattle's only lawn daisy, it is unmistakable. A taller, coarser cousin is Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare). Most of us agree such a cute little flower is truly symbolic of beauty and innocence. Calling it a weed seems harsh.
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Originally published as the Seattle Tilth newsletter Weed of the Month in July 1986, along with an illustration drawn by Jerri Geer.
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