Daffodil
Narcissus pseudonarcissus L.

Order - Liliales

Family - Amaryllidaceae

Names:

Narcissus is from the Greek Narke to grow numb referring to the narcotic properties. In Greek mythology this plant first grew where Narcissus died.

Pseudonarcissus

Daffodil

Other Names:

Summary:

A yellow flowered ornamental.

Description:

Cotyledons:

Two.

First leaves:

Leaves:

Basal. Hairless.

Stipules -

Petiole -

Blade - Hairless.

Stem leaves - None.

Stems:

Hairless.

Flower stem - Leafless.

Flower head:

Single flowers subtended by a single large bract on a long leafless stalk(scape).

Flowers:

Usually yellow.

Ovary - 3 celled.

Calyx - 6 lobes, usually yellow.

Perianth - Regular, fused into a tube at the base, yellow.

Stamens - 6, attached inside the tube.

Anthers -

Fruit:

Capsule with a dry pericarp.

Seeds:

Roots:

Bulb in a tunic.

Key Characters:

Biology:

Life cycle:

Perennial herb.

Physiology:

Reproduction:

Flowering times:

Seed Biology and Germination:

Vegetative Propagules:

Hybrids:

Allelopathy:

Population Dynamics and Dispersal:

Spreads slowly by bulb division.

Origin and History:

Europe.

Distribution:

NSW, TAS, WA.

Habitats:

Climate:

Temperate. Mediterranean.

Soil:

Plant Associations:

Significance:

Beneficial:

Ornamental

Detrimental:

Weed of roadsides and disturbed areas.

Toxicity:

Not recorded as toxic.

Legislation:

None.

Management and Control:

Thresholds:

Eradication strategies:

Herbicide resistance:

Biological Control:

Related plants:

Campernelle (Narcissus odorus)

Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)

Jonquil = Tazetta (Narcissus tazetta = Narcissus jonquilla)

Paperwhile (Narcissus papyraceus)

Plants of similar appearance:

References:

Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Cousens, R.D., Dodd, J. and Lloyd, S.G. (1997). Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. (Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia). P18.

Lazarides, M. and Hince, B. (1993). CSIRO handbook of economic plants of Australia. (CSIRO, Melbourne). #863.4.

Acknowledgments:

Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 or www.herbiguide.com.au for more information.