"Daffadowndilly"

"Daffadowndilly?", I hear you wonder. Well, what else could this be referring to, other than daffodils! I've always found daffodils particularly beautiful flowers, and not only because yellow is one of my favourite colours! I love seeing the gradual blooming of these bright and cheery flowers, as they remind me of the sunshine, and the summer that is on its way. When you see daffodils blooming, you know spring is well underway! And there is certainly no shortage of daffodils on the UEA campus...

Clade - Angiosperms

Order - Asparagales

Family - Amaryllidaceae

Genus - Narcissus
 

 

Daffodils on the UEA campus

 

Daffodils form part of the genus Narcissus, which typically contains plants with six petal-like tepals, with a cup-shaped corona. There are approximately 50 species within the Narcissus genus. Daffodils are a herbaceous bulbiferous perennial plant (meaning they survive each year as storage-bulbs underground to flower for several years) often flowering in early through mid-spring. Daffodil flowers are often white or yellow, with different shades of yellow and even some orange blended in. Daffodil flowers are not necessarily all uniform in colour; they can be all one colour, however some have contrasting tepal and corona colours.

Daffodils typically flower between late February to early May, and should be planted in September-October. They reach a heights of between approx. 5cm (N. asturiensis) and 80cm (N. tazetta). The flower part of the plant is hermaphroditic, meaning bisexual, and they have a radial symmetry. Daffodils are Monocotyledons (they have seeds containing only one cotyledon), within the clade of Angiosperms. The flowers of daffodils are insect pollinated, and rely on insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, flies and moths for pollination.

Daffodils were described by Linnaeus in his "Species Plantarum" in 1753. Species of the Narcissus genus are well-known throughout history, for their medicinal uses and botanical value. The origins of the name "Narcissus" are not completely known, however it is suggested that the Greek myth of Narcissus, who feel in love with his own reflection in water, and drowned whilst reaching for it, and the Narcissus plant grew from where he drowned. Narcissus may also refer to the Greek work for "narcotic", in reference to the medicinal used of Daffodils. The term "daffodil" originates from "affodell", which is a reference to asphodel.

Daffodils are considered native to the Mediterranean, as well as southern France and the Balkans, whilst those found in the UK and further north are considered to be ancient introductions. The habitat for Narcissus plants varies with the numerous species of the plant, with some species preferring higher elevations, some low marshes or rocky slopes, and other favouring woodland, riverbanks or grassland.

All species of Narcissus contain lycorine, which is an alkaloid poison. Ingesting Narcissus plants is dangerous for both man and animal, with the eating of daffodils recognised in some suicide attempts. For example, ingesting N. jonquilla causes nausea, vomiting, neurological events and cardiac arrest, and even paralysis! Death is not out of the question either! However, it is possible to recover from Narcissus poisoning, with possible remedies including the ingestion of laxatives, intravenous atropine or stomach pumping.

Daffodils also have medicinal uses. For example, the application of Narcissus-containing ointments ("Narcissimum") to wounds, strains or joints can help aid recovery. Powdered or dried daffodil flowers may also be used as a decongestant, and even for the relief of dysentery. Daffodils also contain the acetylcholinesterase "Galantamine", which is a drug used in the treatment of Alzeimer's Disease.

As Narcissus plants are so commercially and therefore economically valuable, diseases in these plants are potentially devastating due to losses in cultivation potential. Pests and diseases in Narcissus plants may be induced by viruses, bacteria and fungi, or even arthropods. For instance, aphids may transmit viruses to Narcissus plants. There are 25 recorded viruses able to infect these plants, such as NCLV (Narcissus Common Latent Virus) and NDV (Narcissus degeneration virus). Many of the smallest species of Narcissus have become extinct in recent years, with 5 species currently listed by the IUCN as endangered. Common threats to remaining species including urbanisation, habitat-loss and intrusive tourism.