Annual daisy (Bellis annua, Sp. Pl.: 887 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 887 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Bellis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canary Is., Medit. to Iran

Description

The annual daisy, scientifically known as Bellis annua, is a delightful and charming flowering plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. This hardy annual plant is renowned for its delicate blooms and ability to brighten a variety of landscapes, from wild meadows to cultivated gardens. The existence of the annual daisy has been documented since the mid-18th century, with its official description provided in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753.

Native to a range of regions encompassing the Canary Islands to the Mediterranean and extending as far east as Iran, the annual daisy thrives in these diverse climates. Its adaptability makes it a versatile choice for various environmental conditions. This wide distribution reflects the plant’s resilience and the broad appeal of its simple yet elegant beauty.

The annual daisy typically blooms in the spring and continues to flower throughout the summer, producing an abundance of small, white blossoms with golden centers. These flowers not only add an aesthetic charm but also attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, enhancing local biodiversity.

Cultivating Bellis annua requires minimal effort, making it an excellent option for both novice and experienced gardeners. It prefers well-drained soil and enjoys full sun to partial shade. Once established, the annual daisy is relatively drought-tolerant, although it benefits from regular watering during prolonged dry spells.

Whether you’re looking to add a touch of classic elegance to your garden or seeking to create a vibrant, pollinator-friendly habitat, the annual daisy is an ideal plant to consider. Its historical pedigree and enduring appeal continue to make it a favorite among garden enthusiasts and botanists alike.

Common Names

En: Annual daisy
Ar: بليس حولي
Ca: Margalideta, Margarideta, Margaridoia, Margaridoia anual, Picarol, Primavera, Margalideta anual
Hr: Jednogodišnja tratinčica
Fi: Kesäkaunokainen
Fr: Pâquerette annuelle
De: Einjähriges Gänseblümchen, Einjähriges Maßliebchen
He: חיננית חד-שנתית
It: Pratolina, Pratolina annuale
Ml: ബെല്ലിസ് ആനുവ

Synonyms

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jan 13, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2021 by Muge 57 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Feb 7, 2020 by valmon rivière (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Nadine Jüttner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Juan Caballero (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2019 by Jess Clu (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 13, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2022 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 24, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2022 by Gab Di Natale (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 4, 2011 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 24, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2022 by A Thierry (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2022 by Anna Sokolsky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by regis hubert (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 15, 2022 by ojvan marko (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3117441)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:184361-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Bellis annua L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘feb’, ‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 3