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.
Narcissus pseudonarcissus is a perennial flowering plant.
Narcissus poeticus was one of the first daffodils to be cultivated, and is frequently identified as the narcissus of ancient times. It is also often associated with the Greek legend of Narcissus. It is the type species of the genus Narcissus and is widely naturalized in North America.
Narcissus tazetta is a perennial ornamental plant that grows from a bulb. Cultivars of N. tazetta include 'Paperwhite', 'Grand Soleil d'Or' and 'Ziva', which are popularly used for forcing indoors, as is the form of N. tazetta known as Chinese Sacred Lily.
Narcissus papyraceus, one of a few species known as paperwhite, is a perennial bulbous plant native to the Mediterranean region, from Greece to Portugal plus Morocco and Algeria. The species is considered naturalized in the Azores, Corsica, Texas, California and Louisiana. The white flowers are borne in bunches and are strongly fragrant. It is frequently grown as a house plant, often forced to flower at Christmas.
Narcissus jonquilla, commonly known as jonquil or rush daffodil, is a bulbous flowering plant, a species of the genus Narcissus (daffodil) that is native to Spain and Portugal but has now become naturalised in many other regions: France, Italy, Turkey, the former Yugoslavia, Madeira, British Columbia in Canada, Utah, Illinois, Ohio, and the southeastern United States from Texas to Maryland.
Narcissus bulbocodium, the petticoat daffodil or hoop-petticoat daffodil, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to southern and western France, Portugal, and Spain. Some sources say that the species is also native to Morocco, but this is based on populations formerly thought to be varieties of N. bulbocodium but now regarded as separate species.
Narcissus cyclamineus, the cyclamen-flowered daffodil, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to North West Portugal and North West Spain.
Narcissus serotinus is a species of the genus Narcissus (daffodils) in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is classified in Section Serotini. It is native to southern Europe from Portugal to Greece. It also native to Israel, where it blossoms in the autumn.
Narcissus viridiflorus, commonly known as campanitas, is a species of the genus Narcissus (daffodils) in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is classified in Section Jonquillae.
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.
Narcissus obesus is a species of the genus Narcissus (Daffodils) in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is classified in Section Bulbocodium. It is native to Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Botryotinia polyblastis is a fungal plant pathogen that causes Narcissus Fire of daffodils, genus Narcissus.
''Narcissus white streak virus (NWSV) is a plant pathogen of the family Potyviridae which infects plants of the genus Narcissus, and is transmitted by aphids. It is among the commonest and most serious of the viral infections that infect narcissi, but appears to be confined to N. tazetta.
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.
Narcissus jacetanus is a species of the genus Narcissus (daffodils) in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is classified in Section Pseudonarcissus. It is native to northern Spain around Pamplona. It is found on calcareous soil.
Narcissus moleroi is a species of the genus Narcissus (daffodils) in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is classified in Section Pseudonarcissus. It is native to eastern Spain.
Narcissi are widely celebrated in art and literature. Commonly called daffodil or jonquil, the plant is associated with a number of themes in different cultures, ranging from death to good fortune. Its early blooms are invoked as a symbol of Spring, and associated religious festivals such as Easter, with the Lent lilies or Easter bells amongst its common names. The appearance of the wild flowers in spring is also associated with festivals in many places. While prized for its ornamental value, there is also an ancient cultural association with death, at least for pure white forms.
