Narcissus

Narcissus is the botanic name for a genus of mainly hardy, mostly spring-flowering, bulbs in the Amaryllis family native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. There are also several Narcissus species that bloom in the autumn. Though Hortus Third [1] cites 26 wild species, Daffodils for North American Gardens[2] cites between 50 and 100 excluding species variants and wild hybrids. Through taxonomic and genetic research, it is speculated that over time this number will likely continue to be refined.[3] Daffodil is a common English name, sometimes used now for all varieties, and is the chief common name of horticultural prevalence used by the American Daffodil Society.[4] The range of forms in cultivation has been heavily modified and extended, with new variations available from specialists almost every year.

References

1. Hortus Third, Staff of The L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University, 1976, pp. 754-756. (Macmillan Publishing Company, NY, NY; ISBN 0-02-505470-8)
2. Daffodils For North American Gardens, Brent and Becky Heath, 2001, (Bright Sky Press, Albany, TX; NY, NY; ISBN 0-9704729-7-8)
3. a b http://www.gardenopus.com GardenOpus
4. a b c http://daffodilusa.org American Daffodil Society - ADS

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