With their long, colorful petals bursting like rays of sunlight, daisies are the perfect flowers for delivering warm smiles to those we love most. But this beautiful blossom isn’t just an American favorite — its bright and cheery spiritis cherished by people all around the globe. After all, daisies are members of the biggest plant family in the world — vascular plants, which make up 10 percent of all flowers on Earth — and grow on every continent except Antarctica.
Want to find out why this happy little flower has captured so many hearts? Here’s a list of daisy facts to brighten your day.
History of daisies
The daisy purportedly gets its name from the Old English phrase “daes eage,” or “day’s eye,” because of the way the flower blossoms at the first sign of dawn. They have been around since at least 2,200 BC, when the ancient Egyptians grew them in their gardens and used them as herbal medicine. (Mind-blowing daisy fact: Wild daisies date back to the time of the dinosaurs!) The daisy family, scientifically known as Compositae, was officially classified in 1792 by German botanist Paul Dietrich Giseke.
The gerbera, the most well-known daisy variety in the modern world, was discovered in 1884 in South Africa by a Scottish man named Robert Jameson. In 1890, it was brought to England, where breeders grew a variety of gerberas that boasted brighter colors and sturdier quality. The popularity of gerberas slowly spread to the Netherlands, which became one of the biggest gerbera daisy distributors in the world — a title it still holds today.
Types of daisies
The daisy is no wallflower: With more than 20,000 different types in its category, this pretty bloom is an A-list celebrity in the flower kingdom. Here are three of the most famous kinds of daisies that really know how to soak up the spotlight.
Gerbera daisy
The fifth most popular flower in the world, the gerbera comes in a full rainbow of colors, including pink, orange, yellow, and red. Its vibrant petals make it the flower of choice for celebrating every happy occasion, from birthdays to weddings.
Shasta daisy
With its soft, pearly white petals radiating from a golden center, the Shasta daisy is a timeless classic. Not is it only one of the largest daisies, but it is also one of the easiest to grow and care for. Plus, you can enjoy its hearty blooms season after season.
Rudbeckia
Also known as the black-eyed Susan, the Rudbeckia has fiery yellow petals and a deep brown center — almost like a miniature sunflower. Its reputation as a low-maintenance and long-lasting bloom makes it a favorite of flower-lovers everywhere.
Other well-known daisy varieties include:
- Barberton daisy
- Blue daisy
- Butter daisy
- Crown daisy
- Dahlberg daisy
- Feverfew
- Giant daisy
- Gloriosa daisy
- Kingfisher daisy
- Lazy daisy
- Livingstone daisy
- Marguerite daisy
- Michaelmas daisy
- Montauk
- Nippon ox-eye daisy
- Ox-eye daisy
- Painted daisy
- Paris daisy
- Spanish daisy
- Sunshine daisy
- Swan river daisy
- Tahoka daisy
- Tansvaal daisy
- Tatarian daisy
What daisies symbolize
The sweet simplicity and genuine beauty of the daisy have made the flower an international emblem of innocence and purity. Its fresh, crisp appearance has come to symbolize new beginnings, and its bright, spirit-lifting colors are known to spread happiness like wildfire. It’s for these reasons that daisies make the perfect gifts and decorations for celebrating all of life’s biggest milestone events.
3 more daisy facts that make this flower special
In addition to its one-of-a-kind personality, the daisy has plenty of other qualities that set it apart from other flowers.
1. The daisy is two flowers in one
The large outer petals make up one flower, and the cluster of tiny petalsthat form the center “eye” make up another.
2. Daisy leaves are consumable
High in vitamin C, the leaves of a daisy are actually very closely related to the artichoke.
3. Daisies can be turned into medicine
Some health benefits of daisies include relieving indigestion, soothingcoughs, slowing bleeding, and easing back pain.
FAQs
Essentially, Daisies takes up the question of modern decadence by simultaneously asking, what it means to be decadent and whether we moderns are decadent. The film centers around the exploits of two young women, both named Marie, who decide that as the world is spoiled, they too will be spoiled.
What is the message from a daisy? ›
Daisy Flower Meaning
These sunny springtime blooms have several positive meanings. The meaning of a daisy flower can be purity, innocence, new beginnings, joy and cheerfulness.
What do daisies symbolize? ›
Nonetheless, they are frequently associated with purity, childbirth, new beginnings, and cheerfulness. Daisy petals symbolize innocence and are commonly associated with childhood memories of collecting wildflower bouquets. Flower girls scatter Daisy petals at weddings to represent the purity of love.
Why did daisies get banned? ›
Many conservative supporters of the communist-led government in Czechoslovakia criticized the film for its appropriation of gluttony and the alleged support it shows for the heroines. In an era of the socialist Czechoslovakia, Chytilová was "accused of nihilism” at the time of the release of Daisies.
What does the ending of daisies mean? ›
The film ends with a dedication to “those who get upset only over a stomped-upon bed of lettuce.” The Maries rejected their responsibility to the world. They used stolen opulence to cope with the weight of the role they had been dealt as young women.
What's so special about daisies? ›
What daisies symbolize. The sweet simplicity and genuine beauty of the daisy have made the flower an international emblem of innocence and purity. Its fresh, crisp appearance has come to symbolize new beginnings, and its bright, spirit-lifting colors are known to spread happiness like wildfire.
What do you learn about daisies? ›
Daisies are composite flowers which means that for each individual daisy you see, there are actually two flowers—the outside petals (also called rays) are one flower and the central disc is another. And since the two flowers combine so well together, daisies have become a symbol of true love.
What does the daisy flower mean in love? ›
True love. Because daisies are composite flowers, they are actually two flowers that have blended together in complete harmony. So, they have a meaning of true love. If you've got an anniversary coming up or want to send some romantic gesture flowers, then daises are a perfect choice.
What do daisies symbolize in the Bible? ›
They still are used today in many Catholic traditions. In Christian symbolism, the daisy symbolizes purity, modesty, humility, innocence, and simplicity. The daisy flower is also associated with death and dying, as the flower disappears after a short period of time.
What is the purpose of daisy? ›
Wild daisy is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicinal tea. People take wild daisy tea for coughs, bronchitis, disorders of the liver and kidneys, and swelling (inflammation). They also use it as a drying agent (astringent) and as a “blood purifier.”
There are many types of flowers that mean love, but the most iconic is the red rose. The red rose is known as the flower of love. The red rose symbolizes deep emotions and desires. Red roses are traditionally given to symbolize love, but aren't the only ones to earn this title.
What does it mean to call someone a daisy? ›
It means you're the best or most marvelous. When Doc tells him he's a daisy if he does it. means that he's the best. When he tells him. he's not a daisy, it means he's not the best.
What is the spiritual meaning of the name daisy? ›
Daisies symbolize innocence and purity. This stems from an old Celtic legend. According to the legend, whenever an infant died, God sprinkled daisies over the earth to cheer the parents up. In Norse mythology, the daisy is Freya's sacred flower.
Do daisies have healing properties? ›
The parts that grow above ground are used as medicine. Wild daisy contains chemicals called saponins. These chemicals might help skin cells produce more collagen. People use wild daisy for bleeding, cough, bronchitis, wounds, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
What is the purpose of daisies? ›
The parts that grow above ground are used as medicine. Wild daisy contains chemicals called saponins. These chemicals might help skin cells produce more collagen. People use wild daisy for bleeding, cough, bronchitis, wounds, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
What do they represent for daisy? ›
The flower often symbolizes the innocence of children and the purity of women. Several religious people also believe the daisy represents new life and renewal.
What does the daisy mean in the Bible? ›
Daisies exude joy. These cheerful flowers are known for their yellow center and surrounding white petals symbolized innocence and purity to the ancient Celts. In Acts 9, we are introduced to a daisy of a lady named Dorcas. She spread joy wherever she went through "good works and charitable deeds which she did" (v. 36).
What is the saying about a daisy? ›
Daisies are big, bright, happy-looking flowers. They stand upright on strong stems. So, if we describe someone as being “fresh as a daisy” we mean they seem well-rested and full of energy. We often say we are fresh as a daisy after resting or getting cleaned up.
