If you are trying to determine what type of plant you are looking at, you may be having difficulties telling apart daisy vs chamomile plants. Given the fact that both of these plants are within the same family, how can you learn how to best identify chamomile when compared to the average daisy, and vice versa?
In this article, we will compare and contrast everything you need to know about daisies and chamomile so that you can have a full understanding of both of these plans. We will address what they are used for as well as where you can find them in the wild, as well as where they best grow in case you plan on planting either of these plants at home. Let’s get started and talk about daisies and chamomile now!
Comparing Daisy vs Chamomile
©A-Z-Animals.com
| Daisy | Chamomile | |
|---|---|---|
| Classification | Asteraceae, Bellis perennis | Asteraceae, Matricaria recutita |
| Description | Found in a variety of colors, sizes, and types, given that there are over 30,000 species in the daisy family. However, the common daisy grows 2 inches tall and less than 1 inch wide, spreading prolifically throughout lawns. A number of white petals surround a yellow center in multiple petal layers, on a leafless stem | Grows anywhere from 6 inches to 3 feet in height, with a single layer of small white petals surrounding a yellow center. Skinny stems have even skinnier leaves on them, spindly and sporadic. Two different varieties of chamomile differ from one another in height and flavor. |
| Uses | Used culinarily in salads as well as an astringent for medicinal purposes. Has many vitamins and minerals | A popular tea used for anxiety and sleep promotion, as well as in beer or homebrewing. Also used in beauty products. Can react adversely with other drugs or substances as well as pregnancy |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-8, but some exceptions | 3-9 |
| Locations Found | Native to Europe and Asia, but now found everywhere except Antarctica | Native to Africa and Europe, though grows throughout the United States along roadsides and in pastures |
Key Differences Between Daisy vs Chamomile
©azure1/Shutterstock.com
There are a number of key differences between daisies and chamomile. While all chamomile plants are technically daisies, not all daisies are chamomile. When it comes to the common Daisy, it is a significantly smaller plant than the average camomile plant. In addition, daisies typically have multiple layers of petals compared to a single layer of pedals found on the chamomile plant. Finally, chamomile has skinny leaves on their stems, while common daisies rarely have leaves.
Let’s go over all of these differences and a few others in more detail now.
Daisy vs Chamomile: Classification
One of the most important key differences between chamomile and daisy plants is the fact that they are members of the same family, which is Asteraceae. However, the chamomile plant has two different classifications which are German and Roman chamomile, while daisy plants have over 30,000 different possible species. For simplicity’s sake, we will be comparing chamomile with the common daisy for our next section, which is the descriptive portion of this article!
©Smyshliaeva Oksana/Shutterstock.com
Daisy vs Chamomile: Description
The common daisy and chamomile plants look extraordinarily similar to one another, making it difficult to tell them apart. However, there are a few things to keep an eye out for should you happen upon either of these two plants while on a hike or foraging. For example, many daisy plants have multiple rows of thin white petals, while chamomile plants have a single layer of petals, also in white.
Additionally, most daisies, especially common daisies, do not have leaves on their stems, while chamomile has very thin and spindly leaves on their stems. Common daisies spring up in ground-cover-like groups, often reaching only 2 inches tall, while chamomile plants range in height from 6 inches all the way to 3 feet tall. Ironically, one of the best ways of identifying chamomile when compared to the common daisy is to smell them, as chamomile has a very distinct scent compared to the average daisy!
Daisy vs Chamomile: Uses
©1Y1/Shutterstock.com
Daisies and chamomile both have medicinal uses and specific things they have been historically used for. For example, chamomile tea is an extremely popular beverage to this day, while the common daisy is not frequently brewed up in your local tea shop. However, daisies have many different medicinal uses when used as an astringent or raw in salads, while chamomile is primarily used for tea and beer brewing purposes.
It is important to note that chamomile can have adverse reactions if taken while pregnant, and daisies should ultimately be avoided in medicinal form if you are pregnant. Otherwise, chamomile is fantastic for relieving anxiety and helping you sleep, while daisies are utilized for their vitamin content more than anything else.
Daisy vs Chamomile: Hardiness Zones
©Shan 16899/Shutterstock.com
Another key difference between daisies and chamomile has to do with the hardiness zones they belong to and where they best grow. For example, the common daisy grows best in hardiness zones of 4 through 8, while the average chamomile plant grows in more zones, typically zones 3 through 9. However, there are exceptions to every rule, and both of these plants grow prolifically in a number of areas around the world! In some areas, each of these plants are considered perennials, while in others they are grown as annuals.
Daisy vs Chamomile: Locations Found and Origin
Speaking of all of the areas in which both of these plants grow, there are a few differences between the origin of chamomile and the origin of the daisy plant. For example, daisies are native to Europe and Asia, while chamomile is native to Europe and Africa. However, both of these plants grow prolifically throughout the world, though daisies are found on every continent except Antarctica, while chamomile is less prolific.
Up Next:
More from A-Z Animals
The Featured Image
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
