Bellis perennis
English daisy
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Bellis perennis (English daisy) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Only Bellis species naturalized in California, distinguished by small size and lawn weed habitat.
English daisy is a naturalized perennial found in northwestern California, Great Valley, central western, and southwestern regions in damp, grassy areas at elevations below 900 meters. Flowering from December to September, this plant produces white ray flowers with yellow disk centers, typically 7 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with prostrate or decumbent stems 1 to several from the base, it forms low-spreading clusters with fibrous roots. Its leaves are oblanceolate or obovate, 2 to 10 centimeters long, with entire to slightly serrated margins and soft hairs. The plant spreads via a short, simple or branched rhizome, creating delicate ground-covering patches in moist environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Bellis species naturalized in California, distinguished by small size and lawn weed habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Damp, grassy areas
Elevation: < 900 m
Outside California: widespread in North America, native to Europe
Bloom period
Bellis perennis blooms Dec-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Erigeron: Erigeron has threadlike rays (50+), often pink or blue; Bellis has broader white rays (13-30).; vs Leucanthemum: Leucanthemum flower heads are much larger (1-2 inches); Bellis heads are small (under 10mm rays).; vs Trifolium: Trifolium is a clover with three-part leaves and no ray petals; Bellis is a daisy with simple leaves.; vs Gerbera: Gerbera has huge showy heads on tall stems; Bellis has tiny heads on short stems in lawn-like rosettes.; vs Chrysanthemum: Chrysanthemum has deeply lobed aromatic leaves; Bellis has simple oval leaves without strong scent.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bellis perennis native to California?
No. Bellis perennis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Bellis perennis bloom?
Bellis perennis blooms Dec-Sep.
What plant family does Bellis perennis belong to?
Bellis perennis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Bellis.
What habitat does Bellis perennis grow in?
Bellis perennis grows in Damp, grassy areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.