Bellis perennis is a common European species of daisy of the Asteraceae family. Many related plants share the name “daisy”. So to distinguish this species from other daisies, it is sometimes qualified as common daisy, lawn daisy or English daisy.

Bellis perennis is native to western, central and northern Europe, but widely naturalized in most temperate regions including the Americas and Australasia. Bellis is Latin for “pretty” and perennis is Latin for “everlasting”.

The whole head of the flower closes at night and opens in the morning. So the name “daisy” is occasionally considered a corruption of day’s eye. In Medieval times the English Daisy was commonly known as “Mary’s Rose”.

The English Daisy is also considered to be a flower of children and innocence. Daisy is used as a girl’s name.

This daisy may be used as a potherb. Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. But they become increasingly astringent with increasing age.

Flower buds and petals can be eaten raw in sandwiches, soups and salads. English daisy is also used as a tea and as a vitamin supplement.

The astringent properties of Bellis perennis is used in herbal medicines. In ancient Rome, the surgeons who accompanied Roman legions into battle would order their slaves to pick sacks full of daisies in order to extract their juice.

Bandages soaked in this juice would be used to bind the wounds caused by the swords and spears. In homeopathic medicine, Bellis perennis is still being used. The plant is harvested while in flower when intended for use in homeopathic remedies.