Narcissus elegans

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Narcissus elegans
Narcissus elegans flowers.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Genus: Narcissus
Species:
N. elegans
Binomial name
Narcissus elegans
(Haw.) Spach [1] [2]
Synonyms
  • Hermione autumnalis (Link) M.Roem.

Narcissus elegans is a species of flowering plant in the genus Narcissus (daffodils) in the family Amaryllidaceae. This bulbous perennial is classified in Section Tazettae and is native to the western Mediterranean.

Contents

Description

Narcissus elegans is commonly found in scrublands and long-abandoned fields. It can be distinguished from Narcissus serotinus by several key characteristics: N. elegans typically has multiple flowers in its inflorescence and develops leaves concurrently with flowering, whereas N. serotinus does not have leaves during its flowering period. Additionally, the leaves of N. elegans are flat, contrasting with the cylindrical leaves of N. serotinus. The flowers of N. elegans are white with an orange central corona; the petals are notably narrow and sometimes curve backward. This species blooms in the autumn. [3]

Taxonomy

Narcissus elegans was described by botanists (Haw.) Spach. The description was published in Histoire Naturelle des Végétaux, Classés par Familles, volume 12, on page 452, in the year 1846. [4]

Cytology

The chromosome number for Narcissus elegans, belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae, and its infraspecific taxa is documented as 2n=20. [5]

Etymology

The genus name Narcissus is derived from the Greek mythological character Νάρκισσος (Narkissos), who was known for his striking beauty. He was the son of the river god Cephissus and the nymph Leiriope. The name reflects the notable beauty associated with the flowers of this genus.

The name Narcissus is derived from the Greek word ναρκάω (narkào), meaning "to numb," referencing the narcotic-like, intoxicating scent of some species' flowers. There is an alternative theory suggesting the name originates from the Persian word نرگس (nargis), which also denotes an intoxicating quality associated with the plant.

Specific Epithet

The specific epithet elegans is derived from Latin, meaning "elegant." This descriptor is used to highlight the graceful and refined appearance of the plant.

Related Research Articles

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<i>Galanthus</i> Genus of flowering plants in the family Amaryllidacee

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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. Narcissus has conspicuous flowers with six petal-like tepals surmounted by a cup- or trumpet-shaped corona. The flowers are generally white and yellow, with either uniform or contrasting coloured tepals and corona.

<i>Nerine</i> Genus of flowering plants

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<i>Narcissus pseudonarcissus</i> Species of plant

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<i>Scadoxus</i> Genus of flowering plants

Scadoxus is a genus of African and Arabian plants in the Amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. The English names blood lily or blood flower are used for some of the species. The genus has close affinities with Haemanthus. Species of Scadoxus are grown as ornamental plants for their brilliantly coloured flowers, either in containers or in the ground in frost-free climates. Although some species have been used in traditional medicine, they contain poisonous alkaloids.

<i>Narcissus triandrus</i> Species of daffodil

Narcissus triandrus, also known as the Angel's Tears daffodil, is a species of flowering plant within the family Amaryllidaceae.

<i>Cestrum elegans</i> Species of flowering plant

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amaryllidaceae</span> Family of flowering plants

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<i>Narcissus serotinus</i> Species of daffodil

Narcissus serotinus is a autumn-flowering species of the genus Narcissus (daffodils) in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is classified in Section Serotini. It is native to Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. Records further east in the Mediterranean refer to Narcissus obsoletus and Narcissus elegans.

Taxonomy of <i>Narcissus</i> Classification of daffodils

The taxonomy of Narcissus is complex, and still not fully resolved. Known to the ancients, the genus name appears in Graeco-Roman literature, although their interest was as much medicinal as botanical. It is unclear which species the ancients were familiar with. Although frequently mentioned in Mediaeval and Renaissance texts it was not formally described till the work of Linnaeus in 1753. By 1789 it had been grouped into a family (Narcissi) but shortly thereafter this was renamed Amaryllideae, from which comes the modern placement within Amaryllidaceae, although for a while it was considered part of Liliaceae.

<i>Narcissus broussonetii</i> Species of daffodil

Narcissus broussonetii is a species of the genus Narcissus (daffodils) in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is classified in Section Aurelia. It is native to North Africa.

<i>Narcissus abscissus</i> Species of daffodil

Narcissus abscissus is a species of the genus Narcissus (Daffodils) in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is classified in Section Pseudonarcissus. It is native to France and Spain in the region of the Pyrenees.

<i>Hypericum <span style="font-style:normal;">sect.</span> Androsaemum</i> Group of flowering plants

Androsaemum, commonly called tutsan, is a section of flowering plants in the family Hypericaceae. It is made up of Hypericum androsaemum, H. foliosum, H. grandifolium, and H. hircinum, as well as the hybrid H. × inodorum. When it was first described, it was considered its own independent genus, but was later placed under Hypericum and demoted to a section. It is also the namesake of an "Androsaemum-group" of related taxa that includes several other sections of Old World species. The Latin name Androsaemum comes from a Greek work to describe plants with red sap, and literally means "blood-man".

<i>Narcissus tortifolius</i> Type of endemic narcissus.

Narcissus tortifolius is a type of Narcissus endemic to the Province of Almeria and the Campo de Cartagena in the Region of Murcia.

References

  1. The Plant List
  2. Hist. Nat. Vég. 12: 452 1846
  3. "Narcissus elegans (Haw) Spach". Herbari virtual.
  4. "Narcissus elegans". Tropicos.
  5. Darlington, C.D.; Wylie, A.P. (1955). Chromosome atlas of flowering plants.