Narcissus

Narcissus

'King Alfred' Daffodils, Floriade, Canberra, 2005

Plant Info

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Amaryllidaceae
Genus:	Narcissus L.

Species

See text.

Narcissus is the botanic name for a genus of hardy, mostly spring-flowering, bulbs. There are several Narcissus species that bloom in the autumn. Daffodil is a common English name, sometimes used now for all narcissus. They are mostly native to the Mediterranean region, but a few species are found through Central Asia to China. The range of forms in cultivation has been heavily modified and extended, with new variations available in nurseries practically every year.

Etymology

The name Narcissus is derived from that of the narcissistic youth of Greek mythology called Narkissos. "Narcissi" is sometimes given in dictionaries as the grammatically correct plural of "Narcissus". However the American Daffodil Society prefers the use of "Narcissus" for both singular and plural. (the Webster's Third New International Dictionary gives "Narcissus", "Narcissuses" and lastly "Narcissi" as plural forms). Narcissus are sometimes called jonquils in North America, particularly in the Southeastern United States, but strictly speaking that name belongs only to the rush-leaved Narcissus jonquilla and cultivars derived from it.

The name Daffodil is derived from an earlier "Affodell", a variant of Asphodel. The reason for the introduction of the initial "d" is not known, although a probable source is an etymological merging from the Dutch article "de," as in "De affodil". From at least the sixteenth century "Daffadown Dilly" or "daffadown dilly" has appeared as a playful synonym of the name.

Paper whites refer to the species Narcissus papyraceus.

Description

All Narcissus species have a central trumpet-shaped corona surrounded by a ring of petals. The traditional daffodil has a golden yellow color all over, but the corona may often feature a contrasting color such as that of a slice of lime. Breeders have developed some daffodils with a double or triple row of petals, making them resemble a small golden ball. Other cultivars have frilled petals, or an elongated or compressed central corona.

Daffodils are poisonous, and if eaten could result in death.^[1]

Species

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Popular culture

The daffodil serves as the national flower of Wales. One species, Narcissus obvallaris, grows only in a small area around Tenby. In Wales it is traditional to wear a daffodil on Saint David's Day (March 1).

In some countries the yellow variation is associated with easter.

The flower is a common decoration flower during Chinese New Year.

William Wordsworth's short poem "I wandered lonely as a cloud" has often become linked in the popular mind with the daffodils which form its main image.

In the movie Big Fish, Edward Bloom plants a field of Daffodils outside of Sandra Templeton's window in order to win her heart.

Various Cancer Societies around the world use the Daffodil as fundraising symbol. "Daffodil Days" are organised to raise funds by offering the flowers in return for a donation.