Narcissus is a genus of predominantly spring flowering perennial plants of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. Various common names including daffodil, narcissus, and jonquil, are used to describe all or some members of the genus. They are the national flower of Wales and are often associated with St. David’s Day celebrations.
The genus Narcissus is native to the Mediterranean region, particularly Spain, Portugal, and North Africa, extending into parts of France, Italy, and the Balkans. Over centuries, daffodils have been cultivated and hybridized, expanding their distribution worldwide, especially in temperate regions where they are popular garden plants and naturalize well.
Flowers feature a central trumpet (corona) surrounded by six petals (perianth). The flowers can be solitary or multiple on a stem, depending on the variety. Most commonly yellow or white, but they can also be orange, pink, or even multi-colored with varying shades in the corona or petals. Many species and cultivars are notably fragrant, with scents ranging from sweet to spicy.
The leaves are Long, narrow, and slightly folded, growing from the base of the plant. The plant grows from bulbs which store nutrients for flowering. After flowering, the bulb produces offsets or daughter bulbs, allowing the plant to multiply. All parts of the daffodil are toxic if ingested, containing lycorine and other alkaloids. They can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Handling can sometimes cause skin irritation.
Daffodils symbolize rebirth, new beginnings, and eternal life, making them popular for spring celebrations, including Easter and the Persian New Year, Nowruz. Also used in gardens, borders, rockeries, and as cut flowers. Their ability to naturalize makes them excellent for creating natural-looking drifts in lawns or woodlands.
Daffodils
There are over 50 species of Narcissus and thousands of cultivars. They are classified into 13 divisions by the American Daffodil Society, based on flower form:
Trumpet Daffodils (Division 1)
- Characteristics: These have one flower to a stem, with a trumpet (corona) as long or longer than the perianth segments (petals). Examples include ‘King Alfred’, which is traditional with a large, golden trumpet.
- Origin: Cultivated varieties often have origins tracing back to wild species from Europe.
Large-Cupped Daffodils (Division 2)
- Characteristics: The corona is more than one-third but less than equal to the length of the perianth segments. ‘Ice Follies’ is popular with its creamy white petals and a large, flat yellow cup that fades to white.
- Origin: Bred for larger flowers, these come from various European species.
Small-Cupped Daffodils (Division 3)
- Characteristics: The corona is no more than one-third the length of the perianth segments. ‘Barrett Browning’ is a well-known cultivar with white petals and a small red cup.
- Origin: Similar to trumpet daffodils, with selective breeding for smaller cups.
Double Daffodils (Division 4)
- Characteristics: Flowers having doubled either in petals, corona, or both. ‘Cheerfulness’ offers clusters of small flowers with doubled petals, often appearing more like a bouquet.
- Origin: Derived from species like Narcissus tazetta.
Triandrus Daffodils (Division 5)
- Characteristics: Several flowers per stem, with petals that often reflex (bend backward). ‘Thalia’ is a poetic type with pure white flowers and a sweet fragrance.
- Origin: From the species Narcissus triandrus, native to Spain and Portugal.
Cyclamineus Daffodils (Division 6)
- Characteristics: Recognizable by their swept-back petals and a long, narrow trumpet. ‘Jetfire’ has bright yellow petals with a long, orange trumpet.
- Origin: Named after Narcissus cyclamineus, which grows in Spain and Portugal.
Jonquilla Daffodils (Division 7)
- Characteristics: Known for their fragrance and multiple flowers on one stem. ‘Sweetness’ has golden-yellow flowers with a sweet scent.
- Origin: From Narcissus jonquilla, native to the Mediterranean region.
Tazetta Daffodils (Division 8)
- Characteristics: Often very fragrant, these have several flowers per stem. ‘Paperwhite’ is famous for its ability to bloom in warm conditions without cold dormancy.
- Origin: From the species Narcissus papyraceus, originally from the Mediterranean.
Poeticus Daffodils (Division 9)
- Characteristics: White petals with a short, flat, often red-edged corona. ‘Actaea’ or ‘Pheasant’s Eye’ has a small, flat, red-rimmed cup with a sweet fragrance.
- Origin: Derived from Narcissus poeticus, found in Europe, especially in the Alps.
Bulbocodium Daffodils (Division 10)
- Characteristics: Known as Hoop Petticoat Daffodils, with a tiny corona and large, flared petals. ‘Golden Bells’ is a classic variety.
- Origin: Originates from species like Narcissus bulbocodium in Spain and Portugal.
Split-Corona Daffodils (Division 11)
- Characteristics: The corona is split for at least one-third of its length. ‘Cassata’ has white petals with a split corona that looks like a butterfly when viewed from above.
- Origin: Developed through hybridization of various species.
Miscellaneous Daffodils (Division 12)
- Characteristics: This category includes any daffodils not fitting into the other divisions. ‘Tête-à-tête’ is a miniature with bright yellow flowers, often one of the earliest to bloom.
- Origin: Hybrids from various places.
Species and Wild Variants (Division 13)
- Characteristics: These are the wild forms of daffodils, like Narcissus pseudonarcissus, the wild daffodil.
- Origin: Naturally occurring across Europe, especially in woodlands.
Poetaz Daffodils (Hybrid)
- Characteristics: A cross between Division 8 (Tazetta) and Division 9 (Poeticus), these are often fragrant with white petals and a small, often yellow or orange cup.
- Origin: Hybridized in cultivation.
Double Flowered Hybrids
- Characteristics: These are hybrids that might not fit neatly into Division 4, featuring variations in the doubling of the corona or petals.
- Origin: Result of breeding for aesthetic appeal, combining traits from various divisions.
Pink Daffodils (various hybrids)
- Characteristics: Not naturally occurring, these daffodils have been bred for their pink hues in the corona or petals. ‘Pink Charm’ is one such variety with white petals and a pink-rimmed cup.
- Origin: Result of complex hybridization, often involving the use of polychromatic species.
Miniature Daffodils
- Characteristics: These are small in all aspects, making them perfect for rock gardens or containers. ‘Hawera’ is a triandrus type with creamy-yellow flowers.
- Origin: Often derived from smaller species like Narcissus triandrus or Narcissus bulbocodium.
Intermediates (Division 2 hybrids with Division 3 characteristics)
- Characteristics: These daffodils have cups that are larger than those of Division 3 but not quite as large as typical Division 2. ‘Misty Glen’ could be an example with white petals and a greenish-yellow cup.
- Origin: Hybridization between large and small cupped varieties.
Chinese Sacred Lily (Narcissus tazetta ‘Orientalis’)
- Characteristics: Also known as the Chinese Narcissus, it has a strong, sweet fragrance and is often grown in water culture. Flowers are white with a yellow cup.
- Origin: Cultivated in China for centuries, especially for the Chinese New Year.
Butterfly Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus ‘Ziva’)
- Characteristics: A variety of Paperwhite with flowers that have a butterfly-like appearance due to the split corona. It is highly fragrant.
- Origin: Originates from the Mediterranean region, cultivated for indoor growth.
Rock Garden Daffodils
- Characteristics: These are specifically bred or selected for rock gardens, being smaller in size. ‘Little Gem’ is one example, a miniature with yellow flowers and a bright orange cup.
- Origin: Selected from various smaller species or hybrids, designed to thrive in the harsh conditions of rock gardens.