Bellis sylvestris

Μπελλίς η δασική

Etymology of Bellis sylvestris: The genus's Latin name "Bellis" was used by Pliny the Elder in the 1st century, it comes from "bellus" and it means "pretty". The epithet ''sylvestris'' derives from Latin "silvestris" and means "found/situated/living in woodlands".

Two Bellis species and a subspecies are encountered in the wild Cypriot habitat.

Bellis sylvestris is a common plant of Cypriot nature, the most popular of the three Bellis kinds found in Cyprus. Bellis sylvestris does not exist in southeastern Cyprus. It appears at an elevation up to 925 metres, extremely often seen in forests and on roadsides. Its extended flowering period is between October and March.

How to identify Bellis sylvestris:

It is a perennial plant, either acaulescent or with very short stems and with rosette leaves (Bellis annua subsp. minuta does not have this feature, Bellis perennis has it) tapering gradually to the base, sessile or subsessile (with a very small stalk).

In addition, and most importantly, Bellis sylvestris has often a vivid pink color under/over its petals (the others don't), and its floret / ray is 10-17 mm long (for Bellis perennis only 5-8 mm long and Bellis annua subspecies minuta 3 mm long).