Narcissus-FOR Erasmus + project
Collaborative dictionari of mythological plants
FOUNDED BY EUROPEAN UNION
TARGET GROUP NUMBER:17
Scientifical name: Narcissus spp
Genus: Narcissus
Species: narcissus assuanus
Vulgar name: Narciso
English: Daffodil
Spanish: Narciso
Basque: Nartziso
Greek: Ασφόδελος
Italian: Narciso
Morphological description
Narcissus is a genus of perennial herbaceous bulbiferous geophytes, dying back after flowering to an underground storage bulb. They regrow in the following year from brown-skinned ovoidbulbs 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 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 shapedcorona. 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 (deshisces) releasing numerous black seeds.
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.
Symbolism
The daffodil is a featured flower of Spring because it is one of the first perennial blooms we spy with our searching eyes in the spring. This is appropriate on a symbolic level because the daffodil has a trumpet-like look, and so it announces the procession of spring in a bright, trumpetting manner.
Although they come in a myriad of shapes, sizes and varieties, the daffodil has a few prime roots we can explore for symbolic structure. As you explore the following aspects of daffodil meanings, let yourself dream into other potential symbolic traits offered by this joyful flower of Spring.