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Narcissus poeticus

life science Maturity 5-7 Next article →

The poet's daffodil is a very special flower. It is known by many names like nargis or pheasant's eye.

Gc24 narcissus pseudonarcissus and poeticus
Gc24 narcissus pseudonarcissus and poeticus

This plant is the type species for the whole Narcissus genus. This means it is the main example used to describe all daffodils. Many people find this flower important because of its beautiful looks and scent. It is a plant that has been loved for a very long time. It connects the natural world to ancient stories and modern perfumes.

This flower has a very specific way it looks. It grows to a tall height with a lovely shape. The flower has a ring of pure white petals called tepals. In the middle, there is a short yellow cup called a corona. This yellow cup has a thin, reddish edge that stands out.

Illustration Narcissus poeticus0
Illustration Narcissus poeticus0

The plant is also extremely fragrant. This means it has a very strong and wonderful smell. The scent is a mix of two other flowers called jasmine and hyacinth.

People have written about this flower for thousands of years. Theophrastus wrote about a spring flower like this in his book, Historia Plantarum. He noted that the flower blooms late in the spring. Later, the scientist Carl Linnaeus gave it its official name in 1753. He wrote about it in his famous book, Species Plantarum.

Illustration Narcissus poeticus0
Illustration Narcissus poeticus0

Many people think the flower comes from a Greek myth. In the story, a man named Narcissus was turned into this flower by the goddess Nemesis. This is why the plant is so famous in history.

This flower grows in many different parts of the world. It is native to central and southern Europe. You can find it in places like Spain, France, Greece, and Ukraine.

Gc24 narcissus pseudonarcissus and poeticus
Gc24 narcissus pseudonarcissus and poeticus

It has also spread to many other places. It is now common in the eastern United States and Canada. It can also be found in New Zealand and Turkey. Because it grows in so many places, it is called a naturalised plant there.

Humans use the poet's daffodil in many interesting ways. In the Netherlands and southern France, farmers grow them for oil. This narcissus oil is a main part of many high-quality perfumes. Some perfumes, like 'Fatale' and 'Samsara', use this oil.

Illustration Narcissus poeticus0
Illustration Narcissus poeticus0

Long ago, people even used the flower in medicine. They used it to help with small things like splinters. However, you must be careful because the plant is poisonous if eaten. The scent can even cause a headache if a room is closed up.

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File:Gc24 narcissus pseudonarcissus and poeticus.jpg
Gc24 narcissus pseudonarcissus and poeticus.jpg
File:Illustration Narcissus poeticus0.jpg
Illustration Narcissus poeticus0.jpg
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