The term “daisy” acts as a common name for a vast and diverse collection of flowering plants united under the scientific family Asteraceae, also frequently known as the Composite family. This family is one of the largest in the plant kingdom, containing over 23,000 species across more than 1,600 genera. The defining characteristic of a daisy is its unique flower structure, which is actually a composite head made up of many tiny individual flowers called florets.
The Standard White and Yellow
The classic image of a daisy is represented by species like the English Daisy, Bellis perennis, and the Shasta Daisy, Leucanthemum × superbum. This traditional appearance features a distinct two-part coloration: pure white ray florets surrounding a bright yellow center. The white, petal-like structures are sterile ray florets, while the yellow center is composed of hundreds of tiny, fertile disk florets.
The Shasta Daisy, a popular garden hybrid, exemplifies this standard by producing large, snow-white ray florets that frame a prominent yellow disk. Similarly, the common English Daisy, Bellis perennis, is recognized by its generally smaller white flowers with a yellow button center. These species establish a baseline color combination that is instantly recognizable worldwide.
The Full Spectrum of Daisy Hues
Moving beyond the standard white and yellow reveals a spectacular palette of colors among the plants that share the common name “daisy.” The Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera genus) is a prime example of this color variation, displaying blooms in vibrant reds, deep oranges, pinks, purples, and even pure whites. These colors are often intense and cheerful, making the Gerbera one of the most popular cut flowers globally.
African Daisies, belonging to the genus Osteospermum, further expand the spectrum with shades of yellow, apricot, and orange, frequently featuring striking dark centers. The Painted Daisy, Tanacetum coccineum, contributes to the range with its finely cut foliage and ray florets that appear in shades of pink, rose-red, and mauve. This diverse collection demonstrates that a daisy’s color potential is determined by its specific genus, not the general common name.
The Biology Behind Flower Color
The specific color of any daisy is a result of the plant’s genetics controlling the production and accumulation of chemical compounds known as pigments. Flower coloration is largely governed by two main classes of pigments: carotenoids and anthocyanins. Carotenoids are lipid-soluble compounds located within the plastids of the flower cells, and they are responsible for creating the yellow, orange, and some red hues. The bright yellow of a daisy’s disk florets is due to a high concentration of carotenoids.
Anthocyanins are water-soluble flavonoids stored in the cell vacuole, and they are responsible for the broad range of pinks, reds, purples, and blues. The specific hue expressed by anthocyanins is highly sensitive to the pH level of the cell sap. An acidic environment tends to produce red or pink colors, while a neutral or slightly alkaline environment can shift the pigment toward purple or blue.