Comparing Daisies and Myrtle

The daisy flower (Bellis perennis) is a perennial plant often referred to as the English, European, lawn or common daisy. Although it has herbal qualities and once had a reputation for curing a variety of aches and pains, nowadays it's more regarded as a lawn and turf weed. It's name means "day's eye" from the Anglo-Saxon "daeges ege." Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is an aromatic, evergreen, shrub with herbal properties and is typically grown for its essential oil, along with various other uses. It was dedicated to and planted around the temples of the Greco-Roman goddess Venus. Known as a symbol of love, brides often have a sprig of myrtle in their wedding bouquets.

Size and Shape

The daisy has a low, spreading growth habit and reaches 8 inches tall.

The bushy myrtle is a medium-sized shrub that stands up to approximately 10 feet tall and spreads just as wide.

Habitat & Distribution

The daisy flower originates from Europe and western Asia and has been naturalized in North America. Infamous as a weed, it can be found in grassy areas, such as lawn, pastures and roadsides, as well as any area that's wet for part of the year (like river and lake banks).

Myrtle is native to the Mediterranean region, stretching from southern Europe to northern Africa. It likes shady and sheltered cool areas with moist conditions, and can be commonly found in lower mountain regions.

Growing Season

The spring-blooming daisy lasts for much of the year, from March through September.

Myrtle, on the other hand, usually opens its flowers in the summer and grows quickly while young.

Flowers

The upturned flower of the daisy is made up of several narrow petal-like ray flowers surrounding a disc of golden yellow florets (tiny flowers). Sometimes the white ray flowers have a pink or red tint, particularly on the undersides. The flower itself is supported by a basal rosette of leaves and measures an inch wide.

The myrtle shrub produces fragrant, creamy white flowers with five petals each and a number of long, golden stamens. This gives the blossoms a fluffy appearance.

Foliage

Small, green, spoon-shaped daisy leaves form rosettes on the end of hairy stems to support individual flower heads. These leaves vary in texture and appearance, from smooth to hairy and serrated to non-serrated. They're usually narrow at the base and wider at the tips.

The oval-shaped, shiny, dark-green leaves of the myrtle are pointy at the end and contribute to the dense appearance of the bush. The leaves measure two inches long and release a spicy sweet fragrance when handled or brushed against.

Fruit

Hairless daisy fruits contain one seed and display a yellowish-brown color and a flattened, lance shape.

Myrtle fruit follows in late fall, after the develop of the flowers, and holds many seeds. These dark-purple or black specimens measure less than half an inch and look like olives. Though rare, they can also come in the color white.

Medicinal History

Myrtle has properties considered effective in fighting digestive and urinary tract disorders, and its essential oil helps blood circulation and helps treat varicose veins. Myrtle is also known for aiding in the healing of wounds, but back in the 1300's the daisy was also considered a viable ingredient for curing fresh wounds, especially when used in an ointment. It was also said to help with fever, gout and liver inflammation.