This morning, we went on a nice family walk in our neighbourhood. The Park of Maisons-Laffitte is a great place to stroll on a Sunday morning as most people are still in bed or eating croissants at breakfast for a long, long time. On the Place Wagram, the elegant fountain is surrounded by beautiful oxeye daisies. I took a few photos and thought about writing a post about what we call an oxeye daisy in French. Here is the answer as well as a few more information, such as the game of picking the daisy petals off…
How do we call oxeye daisy in French?
MARGUERITE is the name!
The Latin word for the grassland flower is Leucanthemum vulgare, which derives from the Ancient Greek meaning ‘white flower’.
A native plant to Europe, the oxeye daisy was later introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand.
The symbolic meaning of the oxeye daisy is Patience. It blooms for the whole summer, from late spring to autumn.
The loves-me daisy petal game
Oxeye daisies should not be confused with common daisies or Bellis perennis (in French: pâquerettes).
Both flowers are used in the game of plucking the daisy petals. As a person is picking one petal off a daisy, he/she speaks the phrase:
He/she loves me. He/she loves me not.
In French the game is called ’effeuiller la marguerite’ and says:
“elle (il) m’aime, un peu, beaucoup, passionnément, à la folie… pas du tout”
(he/she loves me a little, a lot, passionately, madly… not at all)
On picking off the last petal, the phrase spoken is supposed to represent the truth between the object of their affection loving him/her… or not!
Pâquerettes vs. Marguerites
Let’s dive into it with a touch of French flair! Picture this: pâquerettes (daisies) and marguerites (oxeye daisies), like two flower cousins, each with their distinct style. They’re like garden celebrities, each rocking their unique look! 🌼🌼
The Family Resemblance
First, imagine charming blooms with petals encircling a sunny yellow centre. Both daisies and oxeye daisies sport that classic, oh-so-spring vibe. They love showing up when the sun is out to play. ☀️
Delightful Distinctions
Now, take a closer peek. Daisies, the sophisticated stars, usually have longer petals and are generally more substantial. They bring an air of elegance to any garden scene. 🌼
On the other hand, oxeye daisies are a tad more unpretentious. Their petals are often shorter, and they’re smaller overall. But don’t let their size fool you because their simple charm is heartwarming. 💕
Daisies might be more particular, thriving with extra sunshine to shine. Oxeye daisies, conversely, are true adventurers and can make do with a bit less sun. They’re at home anywhere, from roadside spots to the heart of a meadow.
In a nutshell, daisies embrace elegance and grandeur, while oxeye daisies favour simplicity and versatility. It’s like they’ve got their floral runway styles! So whether you lean toward sophistication or have a soft spot for simplicity, you have the perfect choice for your garden. 🌸🌼 Enjoy these little floral wonders to the fullest!
Find out more!
- Want to know more about spring in France? Check out this article on the blog!
- The Wikipedia page on ‘marguerites’.
