Narcissus Flowers
Name : Narcissus Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Narcissus (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)
Narcissus Description
Narcissus is a genus comprising of 50-100 species of mainly hardy bulbs in the Amaryllis family Amaryllidaceae; native to the Mediterranean region, Europe, North Africa, and Asia.
The English common name for Narcissus is Daffodils, while other common names include Narcissus, Jonquil, Paperwhite, and the 'Poet's Flower'. The common name Jonquil is used in North America, but strictly speaking, it applies only to the rush-leaved Narcissus jonquilla and its cultivars. Whereas the common name Paperwhites refers to the blossoms of the tazetta-group species, Narcissus papyraceus. Due to their long association with Lent, they’re known as the Lent Lily in England.
Narcissus is commercially cultivated mainly in the Channel Isles, the Isles of Sicilly, Holland and Great Britain. The botanical name Narcissus comes from the Greek word narkao, (??????) meaning numbness or stupor. It is believed that the flower has been named as such due to its narcotic fragrance while another theory is that the name is associated with the poisonous nature of the Narcissus bulbs.
Narcissus is one of the most popular flower varieties in the world and in popularity, it ranks first in Germany. The star shaped Narcissus flowers are borne on long stems (30-50cm) with each flower bearing six petals with a central cup or trumpet facing out. The size and colour vary according to the variety. Many Narcissus varieties are fragrant.
Numerous Narcissus cultivars and hybrids have been developed in shades of white, yellow, peachy pink, orange and bicolor varieties are also available.
Narcissus flowers are available from early spring, though autumn flowering varieties are also common. The typical Daffodil is considered to be the harbinger of spring and blooms in the early spring. Narcissuses are low maintenance plants and grow almost anywhere. Narcissuses prefer well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade. Narcissus is propagated from bulbs planted from August to November, or by dividing overcrowded clumps in late summer. Some species types can be grown from fresh seeds collected during summer and sown in late summer or autumn in pots outdoors.
Narcissuses are excellent garden plants and look great in borders or in naturalised drifts at the base of deciduous trees. Narcissus also makes an exceptional cut flower and is a popular choice for spring wedding themes. With a vase life of 4-7 days, Narcissus varieties are ideal for fresh flower arrangements and blend well with any colour scheme.
Different varieties include Narcissus jonquilla or Jonquils with dark green, round, rush-like leaves and cluster of small, fragrant, early, yellow blossoms; Daffodils are the modern large flowered variety and are the most popular type of Narcissus in cultivation; Narcissus papyraceus or Paperwhites are an early blooming variety with white, powerfully fragrant, clustered blossoms.
Narcissus Meaning
Narcissus is rich in symbolism. The enchanting Daffodil signifies the meanings Regard, Unrequited Love, Chivalry, Sunshine, Respect, Rebirth, New Beginnings and The Sun Shines When I'm With You; while the lovely Narcissus symbolises Normality, Stay Sweet, Self-Esteem and Vanity.
The Daffodil also has the honour of being the 10th wedding anniversary flower and the birth flower for the month of March. A bunch of daffodils is an ideal gift and is said to ensure Happiness.
Make sure that you always present daffodils in a bunch since a bunch of daffodils symbolizes Cheerfulness and Good Fortune whereas a single bloom of daffodil means Misfortune.
The yellow Daffodil is associated with the zodiac sign Gemini, and people belonging to this star can relate to the flower’s Cheerfulness. Whereas the white Narcissus is associated with the sign Pisces as Pisceans admire its Scented Delicacy.
Narcissus Mythology
The genus derives its name from Greek mythology: According to Legend, Narcissus was a beautiful youth, the son of the river god Cephissus and the nymph Leriope. A seer told Leriope that her son would have a long life, provided he never saw his own reflection. A nymph, Echo fell in love with Narcissus but he broke her heart. His callous rejection of the nymph Echo drew upon him the gods' vengeance and he fell in love with his own reflection in the waters of a spring and wasted away. He drowned in the spring and it is said that the narcissus flower sprang up where he died.
In the past, the Daffodils have been used medicinally. In ancient Rome, surgeons treated wounds with a balm that contained the juice of daffodil bulbs and even today, Galanthine, a compound found in Daffodil bulbs, is being used to treat Alzheimer's disease.
In Feng Shui if a Narcissus blooms at New Year it means Good Luck for the Next Twelve Months.
Folklore from the world over considers the daffodil as a sign of winter’s end and also a lucky emblem of future prosperity.
According to another tradition from Wales, it is believed that the person who spots the first daffodil of the season is blessed and his next 12 months will be filled with wealth.
This lovely blossom is also known as the Poet’s Flower due to the fact that the famous English poet, William Wordsworth wrote the following poem in honour of the enchanting Daffodil:
The Daffodils
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
and twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
in such a jocund company:
I gazed - and gazed - but little thought
what wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
