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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Narcissus''
| image = Yellow daffodils - floriade canberra.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = 'King Alfred' Daffodils, [[Floriade, Canberra]], 2005
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
| familia = [[Amaryllidaceae]]
| genus = '''''Narcissus'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
See text.
}}


'''Narcissus''' is the botanic name for a [[genus]] of hardy, mostly spring-flowering, [[bulb]]s. 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 [[Narcissus (mythology)|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 (disambiguation)|corona]] surrounded by a ring of [[petal]]s. 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.<ref>[http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/narcis01.html The poisonous qualities of daffodils]</ref>

== Species ==
{{Expand|date=January 2007}}
*''[[Narcissus bulbocodium]]''
*''[[Narcissus cyclamineus]]''
*''[[Narcissus minor]]''
*''[[Narcissus papyraceus]]''
*''[[Narcissus poeticus]]''
*''[[Narcissus pseudonarcissus]]''
*''[[Narcissus tazetta]]''
*''[[Narcissus triandrus]]''

==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.
*[http://www.cancer.org/daffo
dils [[American Cancer Society]] Daffodil Day]
*[http://www.daffodilday.org.nz/ [[New Zealand Cancer Society]] Daffodil Day]
*[http://www.daffodilday.com.au/ [[The Cancer Council Australia]] Daffodil Day]

[[Image:Jonquil flowers05.jpg|thumb|300px||Jonquil flowers.]]

The horticultural divisions include:
*Trumpet daffodils
*Large-cupped daffodils
*Small-cupped daffodils
*Double daffodils
*Triandrus daffodils
*Cyclamineus daffodils
*Jonquilla daffodils
*Tazetta (Poetaz or Bunch-flowered) daffodils
*Poeticus (Poet's) daffodils
*Bulbocodium daffodils
*Split-corona daffodils
*Other daffodils which don't fit the above divisions
*Species and wild hybrids
*Miniature daffodils are found in all divisions.
<br clear=all />

<gallery>
Image:Jonquil flowers06.jpg|White Jonquil
Image:Jonquil flowers08.jpg|White Jonquil
Image:Jonquil flowers07.jpg|White Jonquil
Image:Jonquil flowers02.jpg|White Jonquil
Image:Narcissus pseudonarcissus0.jpg|''Narcissus pseudonarcissus''
Image:Narcissi.jpg|''Narcissus tazetta''
Image:Narcissus bulbocodium bulbocodium0.jpg|''Narcissus bulbocodium'' ssp. ''bulbocodium''
Image:Narcissus poeticus actaea0.jpg|''Narcissus poeticus'' 'Actaea'
Image:Jonquil flowers.jpg|Jonquil Flowers
Image:Narcis geel vdg.jpg|''Narcissus'' 'Tahiti'
Image:Yellow Narcissus.JPG|Narcissus (yellow)
Image:IMG_2525.JPG
Image:OrangeWhite&Yellow Daffodils 4-14-06.jpg|Narcissus (orange and white)
Image:WhiteYellow_Daffodil_Island.jpg|White and yellow Narcissus
Image:Yellow w-orange Daffodil4-10-06.jpg|Yellow Daffodil
Image:Paperwhite_flowers.jpg|''[[Narcissus papyraceus]]'' 'Paperwhite'
Image:Daffodil Narcissus.jpg|''Daffodil Narcissus'' on [[Vancouver Island]]
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/alamance/gardening/2002/mar/3.html Difference between daffodil and narcissus], see first paragraph
*[http://www.keesbevaart.nl/historicaldaffodils Historical Daffodils]
*[[I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud]] by William Wordsworth

{{Commons|Narcissus}}

[[Category:Asparagales]]
[[Category:Flowers]]
[[Category:Liliales]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]