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Narcissus is the Latin name for a group of hardy, mostly spring-flowering, bulbs. There are several Narcissus species that bloom in the autumn. Daffodil is the common English name for all narcissus. The botanic name of the genus is 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.
Nomenclature
The name Narcissus is derived from that of the narcissistic youth of Greek mythology called Narkissos. Though "Narcissi" is given in dictionaries as the plural of "Narcissus", The American Daffodil Society prefers the use of "narcissus" for both singular and plural.
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, though from at least the sixteenth century "Daffadown Dilly" or "daffadowndilly" has appeared as a playful synonym of the name.
Narcissus are sometimes called jonquils in North America, but strictly speaking that name belongs only to the rush-leaved Narcissus jonquilla and cultivars derived from it.
Features
All daffodils 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. 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 can be fatal if eaten.The poisonous qualities of daffodils
Below is an image of the pollen of Narcissus pseudonarcissus (common daffodil).
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 1st).
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.
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.
- American Cancer Society Daffodil Day
- New Zealand Cancer Society Daffodil Day
- The Cancer Council Australia Daffodil Day
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.
References
External links
- Difference between daffodil and narcissus, see first paragraph
- Daffodils are narcissi
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"Narcissus (flower)"