Confused by Similarities! A Guide to Distinguishing 5 Representative Flowers with "White Petals & Yellow Centers"

There are many white and yellow flowers!

The flowers that are "white petals with a yellow center" are quite cute, aren't they?

They are often used in wedding decorations and bouquets, creating a natural and soft image ♡

However, there are many types of white and yellow flowers that look similar. (Unless you're a florist or someone knowledgeable about flowers, it might be hard to answer quickly.)

For example, take this flower ＊

You often see it, but can you immediately answer what its name is...?

@haruno45

The answer is "Matricaria," but you might also think of names like marguerite or daisy, which look very similar, and that might give you a bit of trouble...?

(They look so much alike that you might think, "They must be twins!" 😂)

So in this article, I will explain the "white petals with a yellow center" flowers that are hard to differentiate, one by one.♡

White and yellow flowers (1) Marguerite

One of the most representative and well-known is the Marguerite ♡ It belongs to the daisy family. Its Japanese name is "Mokushungiku."

The flower language means "to tell fortunes in love," "trust," and "true love."

The practice of plucking the petals one by one to predict love comes from this Marguerite flower.

The blooming period is from November to May, and the Flower Park Urashima in Kagawa is famous for its over one-hectare area filled with blooming Marguerites.♡

【Distinguishing Point】

The white petals of the Marguerite are elongated. The average size of the flowers is about 7-8 cm, which is relatively large compared to others. There are also varieties with pink or yellow petals.

When you look at the leaves, they are narrow with jagged edges, which is also a distinctive feature. Since they have a unique shape, it might be easier to identify them by looking at the leaves.

Isn't Marguerite used in weddings...?

While white and yellow flowers are often seen at weddings, in reality, Marguerites are not commonly used in wedding decorations or bouquets.

Basically, Marguerites are often cultivated in pots or containers for gardening.

They bloom in urban plantings and street trees, so many people might assume they're used in weddings, but actually, their stems are often too short (since a certain length is necessary for decoration).

Therefore, they are not used very often.

(I thought maybe they are used somewhere globally, and when I searched for "Marguerite bouquet" in English, there weren't many hits, which is for the same reason!)

It's mainly for gardening purposes rather than decoration.

So if you want to decorate a wedding with white and yellow flowers, it's probably best to tell the florist "something Marguerite-like." However, at the actual event, it might be similar-looking flowers that are used instead of Marguerites.

(Of course, it’s not impossible, as there are brides who wait for the stock to use Marguerites ♡)

White and yellow flowers (2) Daisy

Another classic flower is the Daisy. Its Japanese name is "Hinagiku." It also belongs to the daisy family.

The flower language signifies "peace," "hope," and "innocence."

The blooming period is from December to June, and they bloom even in cold weather.

Daisies are easy to grow, making them suitable for home gardening, and they are as common as pansies and violas.

The original name seems to be derived from "day's eye," which literally means "eye of the sun." It refers to the characteristic that they open up when sunlight is present and close their petals when it is not.

As a garden variety, they are often used as bouquet materials as well.

【Distinguishing Point】

Daisies are generally smaller than Marguerites, averaging around 4 cm. (Some larger varieties have been bred.)

The leaves are oval-shaped and do not have any serrations.

Interestingly, the popular garden variety of Daisy is not one that resembles Marguerites, but rather one that looks closer to traditional daisies.

White and yellow flowers (3) Matricaria

Matricaria is also a white and yellow flower belonging to the daisy family ♡ Its Japanese name is "Natsushirogiku."

"The joy of gathering" and "enjoyment" are its flower languages.

The blooming period is from May to July.

It resembles the chamomile flower introduced later, more than it does the Marguerite or Daisy described earlier.

It has a smaller size, with long stems, and when bunched, it has a cute, bouncy appearance.♡

In wedding bouquets, it is often used as a sub-flower to create an airy feel.

【Distinguishing Point】

Matricaria flowers are 1-2 cm in diameter. The stems are long and slender, making them easy to arrange in small vases.

The yellow center of the flower appears slightly raised, which is also a characteristic.

➡ View the special feature of the double-flowering variety "Double Latte" of Matricaria here

White and yellow flowers (4) Chamomile

Chamomile, popular as a tea flavor, also features white petals with a yellow center. Its Japanese name is "Kamitsure," and it also belongs to the daisy family.

The flower languages are "enduring adversity" and "strength in hardship." Despite being stepped on, it grows strong afterward and has the vitality to thrive anywhere.

The blooming period is from April to July, with chamomile fields in Zao, Miyagi, and Kamitsure no Sato in Nagano being famous spots.＊

In places where they gather in large numbers, preferences for the scent can vary.

【Distinguishing Point】

Chamomile features a prominent yellow center that resembles a bump, with petals that tend to droop slightly.

The characteristic herbal fragrance of chamomile makes it easy to distinguish.＊

White and yellow flowers (5) North Pole

The flower called North Pole also has a combination of white and yellow. Its Japanese name is "Kanshiro-giku," and it belongs to the daisy family.

The blooming period is long, from December to May, and it is resistant to cold.

The flower languages are "sincerity" and "nobility."

It looks like a smaller version of the Marguerite.♡

【Distinguishing Point】

The flower diameter of the North Pole is about 3 cm.

The leaves have some serration, but they are not as deeply serrated as those of the Marguerite introduced earlier.

It can produce a surprisingly large number of flowers!♡

Did you notice the differences...?

Flowers with white petals and yellow centers.

They all belong to the daisy family, so they look similar, but you will likely be able to distinguish them by looking at the size of the flowers and the shape of the leaves.

Each flower is cute on its own, but they are commonly used in bouquets or arrangements because they are generally considered to be small flowers. When they are clustered together, I am reminded once again of how truly adorable these flowers are!♡

(When I looked at them for a long time, they started to look like fried eggs! 😂)

They are a type of flower that I’d love to actively incorporate into wedding decorations and bouquets!♡