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Herbs & Plants

Poet’s Narcissus

Botanical Name: Narcissus poeticus
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily:Amaryllidoideae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asparagales
Tribe: Narcisseae
Genus: Narcissus

Common Names: Poet’s Narcissus (it has various common names including daffodil, narcissus and jonquil)

Habitat:Poet’s Narcissus ia native to meadows and woods in southern Europe and North Africa with a centre of diversity in the Western Mediterranean, particularly the Iberian peninsula. Both wild and cultivated plants have naturalised widely, and were introduced into the Far East prior to the tenth century.

Description:
Poet’s Narcissus is a genus of perennial herbaceous bulbiferous geophytes, which die back after flowering to an underground storage bulb. They regrow in the following year from brown-skinned ovoid bulbs with pronounced necks, and reach heights of 5–80 cm depending on the species. Dwarf species such as N. asturiensis have a maximum height of 5–8 cm, while Narcissus tazetta may grow as tall as 80 cm. The flowers are generally white or yellow (also orange or pink in garden varieties), with either uniform or contrasting coloured tepals and corona.

The plants are scapose, having a single central leafless hollow flower stem (scape). Several green or blue-green, narrow, strap-shaped leaves arise from the bulb. The plant stem usually bears a solitary flower, but occasionally a cluster of flowers (umbel). The flowers, which are usually conspicuous and white or yellow, sometimes both or rarely green, consist of a perianth of three parts. Closest to the stem (proximal) is a floral tube above the ovary, then an outer ring composed of six tepals (undifferentiated sepals and petals), and a central disc to conical shaped corona. The flowers may hang down (pendent), or be erect. There are six pollen bearing stamens surrounding a central style. The ovary is inferior (below the floral parts) consisting of three chambers (trilocular). The fruit consists of a dry capsule that splits (dehisces) releasing numerous black seeds.

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The bulb lies dormant after the leaves and flower stem die back and has contractile roots that pull it down further into the soil. The flower stem and leaves form in the bulb, to emerge the following season. Most species are dormant from summer to late winter, flowering in the spring, though a few species are autumn flowering.

Cultivation:
Prefers a deep rather stiff soil but succeeds in most soils and situations. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Easily grown in a moist soil, doing well in grass but it is slow to establish. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c. Cultivation details
Prefers a deep rather stiff soil but succeeds in most soils and situations. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Easily grown in a moist soil, doing well in grass but it is slow to establish. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c.

Propagation:
Poet’s Narcissus tend to be long-lived bulbs, which propagate by division, but are also insect-pollinated. Known pests, diseases and disorders include viruses, fungi, the larvae of flies, mites and nematodes. Some Narcissus species have become extinct, while others are threatened by increasing urbanisation and tourism.

Medicinal Uses:
The bulb is powerfully emetic and irritant. A homeopathic remedy is made from the bulb.

Other Uses: An essential oil is obtained from the flowers. 500kg of the flowers yields 1kg concrete, 300gr absolute of the essential oil.A very ornamental plant, but it is sometimes shy to flower. The flowers are powerfully scented.
The daffodil is the national flower of Wales and the symbol of cancer charities in many countries. The appearance of the wild flowers in spring is associated with festivals in many places.

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissus_(plant)
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Narcissus+poeticus

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