BELLIS SYLVESTRIS

Family:- COMPOSITAE

Common Name:- Autumn daisy, Southern daisy

Synonyms:- Bellis perennis subsp. sylvestris

Meaning:- Bellis (L) Pretty, A name used by the Roman naturalist and philosopher

Pliny.

Sylvestris (L) Wild, of woods or forests.

General description:- Low to short perennial with fleshy roots, usually with the

inflorescence rising from the centre of the leaf rosette on a leafless stalk.

Leaves:-

1) In a basal rosette, (15-)30-180 x 5-25 mm, linear-oblong to narrowly obovate,

remotely serrate to subentire, apressed-pubescent at least when young, dark

green, 3-veined, narrowed very gradually to a short, scarcely distinct petiole.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula, 20-40 mm diam; white with a yellow disc.

2) Peduncles,10-45 cm, stout.

3) Receptacle, conical to hemispherical.

4) Involucral bracts, (5-)7-12 mm, oblong-lanceolate, more or less acute.

5) Ligules 8-14 mm, tinged with purplish-red beneath and often also above.

Fruit:-

1) Achenes, pubescent, sometimes with a rudimentary pappus of short bristles.

Key features:-

1) Lamina, cuneate, passing gradually into a scarcely distinct petiole.

2) Leaves up to 25 mm wide, dark green, 3-veined.

3) Involucral bracts (5-)7-12 mm, ± acute.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Damp meadows, orchards, deciduous scrub, often in semi-shade.

0-1400 m.

Distribution:- Widespread and common throughout the Mediterranean. Widespread

and common on Crete.

Flowering time:- Usually autumn and winter flowering. (Sept-Jan).

Photos by:- Steve Lenton