Narcissus (Daffodil, Jonquil, Paperwhites) - Yellow, White, Orange - Birth Day Flower - May 7th

Your birth day flower is the Narcissus, according to the Victorians, if you were born on the 7^th May.

The Narcissus is associated with "Egotism". This is because of the name association with Narkissos (Νάρκισσος) of mythology.

The Narcissus is a member of the Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae) family - Narcissus sp .

Narcissus species includes these well known flower groups:

• Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus )
• Narcissus (Narcissus narcissus )
• Jonquil (Narcissus jonquilla )
• Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus )

There is a great variety of natural hybrids and garden cultivars in this family of plants. They are one of the most popular spring flowers. Species are variable because of horticultural selection and also naturalization. All species have a central trumpet (corona) surrounded by 6 floral leaves (perianth). The daffodil is depicted mainly as of a yellow colour but this is misleading as many variations in all the Narcissus species is encountered.

Come, my own heart! - none reads too oft himself!

Can all the star's this outward earth illume?

E'en day itself leaves half our orb in gloom

But one lone lamp lights up the spirit's vault -

The egotist has wisdom in his fault.

BULWER LYTTON

All Narcissi contain:

• Lycorine (an alkoloid poison) C₁₆H₁₇NO₄ both in the bulb and leaves. Symptoms of lycorine poisoning are:

1. Vomiting
2. Diarrhoea
3. Convulsions

• The poisoning is due to the inhibition of protein synthesis (process where cells build proteins).
• Calcium oxalate CaC₂O₄ or Ca(COO)₂ in the sap. Watch it, you can suffer from "daffodil itch" due to the calcium oxalate. The itch involves dry, scaly skin with fissures and erythema in the hands.

Most poisonings are due to mistaken identity as the bulbs look vaguely like onions.

The following are the sectiones and species within sectiones associated with the genus Narcissus :

• Narcissus sect. Apodanthi

1. Narcissus albimarginatus - rare, of northwestern Moroccan origin. The flowers are pendulous pale-yellow with a white-margined corona.
2. Narcissus atlanticus - rare, extant in the wild, of North African (Moroccan) origin. The flowers are creamy-white and similar to those of Narcissus rupicola .
3. Narcissus calcicola - perennial herbaceous plant, native of central Portugal. It has small intense yellow flowers, with slightly-indented edges to corona, on stems of about 1 foot long. It flowers from February to March.
4. Narcissus cuatrecasasii - rock-dwelling plant. It has tiny bright yellow flowers and two-ridged leaves. Two varieties are known: Narcissus cuatrecasasii var. cuatrecasasii; and Narcissus cuatrecasasii var. segimonensis, from Spain.
5. Narcissus marvieri - of African origin and described by Jahand. & Maire.
6. Narcissus rupicola - of rocky Spanish and Portuguese areas. It is a tiny (4" to 6" high) hardy jonquil species of single yellow sweertly-fragrant flowers. Three subspecies are noted: Narcissus rupicola subsp. marvieri has slightly larger corona; Narcissus rupicola subsp. rupicola; Narcissus rupicola subsp. watieri.
7. Narcissus scaberulus - from Portugal. It has 1 to 5 yellow flowers and coiled leaves. The plant grows from 2" to 6"-8" high.
8. Narcissus watieri - Watier Daffodil, white daffodil. Hybrids include:'Craigton Coquette'.

• Narcissus sect. Aurelia

1. Narcissus broussonetii - from Morrocco. It has fragrance-free, white flowers with long perianth's and very minimal corona. A small number of multiple heads are present.

• Narcissus sect. Bulbocodii

1. Narcissus bulbocodium - Hoop-petticoat daffodil. From Europe and North Africa. A delicate low-growing daffodil. It has a number of subspecies: Narcissus bulbocodium subsp. bulbocodium; Narcissus bulbocodium subsp. citrinus; Narcissus bulbocodium subsp. graelisii; Narcissus bulbocodium subsp. praecox; Narcissus bulbocodium subsp. validus
2. Narcissus cantabricus - small white North African and Spanish 'alpine' hoop-petticoat daffodil with a sweet scent..It has a number of subspecies: Narcissus cantabricus subsp. cantabricus; Narcissus cantabricus subsp. monophyllus; Narcissus cantabricus subsp. tananicus
3. Narcissus hedraeanthus - a diminuative (approx 1" high) alpine daffodil with pale creamy-yellow flowers of 'hoop-petticoat' shape. It blooms in December.
4. Narcissus hesperidid -
5. Narcissus jacquemoudii -
6. Narcissus juressianus -
7. Narcissus litigiosus -
8. Narcissus obesus - a late-flowering 'hoop-petticoat' species that has large golden-yellow flowers on short stems.
9. Narcissus peroccidentalis -
10. Narcissus romieuxii - a winter-flowering, 'alpine', 'hoop-petticoat' Moroccan, pale yellow flower-headed plant with protuding stamens. It has a number of subspecies: Narcissus romieuxii subsp. albidus; Narcissus romieuxii subsp. romieuxii, 'Joy Bishop' flowers mid November and ' Julia Jane' flowering in January.
11. Narcissus tingitanus - from Morocco. It has large pale-yellow flowers.

• Narcissus sect. Cyclaminei

1. Narcissus cyclamineus - Cyclamen-flowered Daffodil. It is a scarce miniature native of Spain and Portugal. It has distinctive deep golden yellow pendulous flowers with reflexed petals. It flowers in late December.

• Narcissus sect. Chlorater

1. Narcissus viridiflorus - rare species from Spain and Morocco. It is autumn-flowering with small sweet-scented uniquely-shaped green flowers in clusters.

• Narcissus sect. Ganymedes

1. Narcissus triandrus - Angel's Tears. This is a native of Spain. It has pendulous scented, creamy-yellow flowers. It has a number of subspecies: Narcissus triandrus subsp. capax; Narcissus triandrus subsp. lusitanicus; Narcissus triandrus subsp. pallidulus; Narcissus triandrus subsp. triandrus

• Narcissus sect. Jonquillae

1. Narcissus assoanus - Rush-leaf Jonquil. A miniature (4" to 6" tall) native of Spain and France. It has citrus-scented, rich yellow flowers that bloom in March. There are a number of varieties: Narcissus assoanus var. assoanus; Narcissus assoanus var. palearensis; Narcissus assoanus var. parviflorus
2. Narcissus fernandesii - A native of Spain and Portugal. Tall rush-leaved, clump-forming daffodil with small fragrant yellow flowers, 1 to 3 per scape. There are a number of varieties: Narcissus fernandesii var. cordubensis; Narcissus fernandesii var. fernandesii; Narcissus fernandesii var. major
3. Narcissus gaditanus - a tiny yellow-flowed plant from Spain.
4. Narcissus jonquilla - Jonquil. These have clusters of small, fragrant, early, yellow blossoms with dark green, round, rush-like leaves. One variety is: Narcissus jonquilla var. jonquilla
5. Narcissus willkommii - Jonquilla Daffodil.

• Narcissus sect. Narcissus

1. Narcissus poeticus - Poet's Daffodil, Nargis, Pheasant's Eye, Findern Flower and Pinkster Lily. The original narcissus and one of the first of the family to be cultivated. Very fragrant, pure white petals with short, light greenish-yellow, reddish-edged corona. They grow to 8" to 16" tall, originally in central Europe and are late-flowering (April through May). There are a number of subspecies: Narcissus poeticus subsp. poeticus; Narcissus poeticus subsp. radiiflorus

• Narcissus sect. Perezlarae

1. Narcissus perezlarae - from Spain.

• Narcissus sect. Pseudonarcissi

1. Narcissus abscissus - A bi-coloured trumpet daffodil with light yellow petals and dark yellow trumpets. A late flowering mountain plant. There are a number of varieties: Narcissus abscissus var. abscissus; Narcissus abscissus var. graciliflorus; Narcissus abscissus var. serotinus; Narcissus abscissus var. tubulosus
2. Narcissus albescens -
3. Narcissus alcaracensis - endangered species from Spain. In the wild it inhabits river and swamp regions.
4. Narcissus alpestris - more commonly known as Narcissus moschatus. Native of Spain with an 'alpine' habitat. The whitish flowers are typically lop-eared, drooping with downwards-pointing trumpet..
5. Narcissus asturiensis - miniature 'alpine' daffodil from north Portugal that blooms in spring giving 'nodding' yellow flowers.
6. Narcissus bicolor - A bi-coloured trumpet daffodil native of Spain. The flowers are cup-shaped with a perianth of light canary-yellow and a long, trumpet-shaped corona of saffron-yellow.
7. Narcissus enemeritoi -
8. Narcissus eugeniae - a yellow trumpet daffodil of the classic shape, resident of Spain.
9. Narcissus hispanicus - Spanish Daffodil. Habitat is fir forests. It is a large yellow daffodil with recurved petals. There are a number of subspecies: Narcissus hispanicus subsp. bujei; Narcissus hispanicus subsp. hispanicus
10. Narcissus jacetanus - large yellow daffodil where the corona has a waist. There are a number of subspeies: Narcissus jacetanus subsp. jacetanus; Narcissus jacetanus subsp. vasconicus
11. Narcissus lagoi - located in Spain.
12. Narcissus longispathus - endangered species due to the destruction of its natural habitat of stream margins and poorly-drained 'alpine' meadows. It is a large flowered yellow daffodil.
13. Narcissus minor - native of southern France and Spain. It is 4" to 6" high with golden-yellow flowers. According to location it can begin flowering anywhere between late December and February..
14. Narcissus moleroi - yellow flowered species that grows in oak and beech woods.
15. Narcissus moschatus - more common name of Narcissus alpestris . Native of Spain with an 'alpine' habitat. The flowers are typically white and drooping.
16. Narcissus muñozii-garmendiae - small yellow trumpet shaped daffodil.
17. Narcissus nevadensis - endangered species native to swampy Spanish locales. It flowers between March and April with light canary-yellow trumpet and very light yellow perianth.
18. Narcissus perez-chiscanoi - from Spain.
19. Narcissus primigenius - small-sized species from Spain.
20. Narcissus pseudonarcissus - Wild Daffodil or Lent Lily. It has pale-yellow perianth with a darker trumpet. This species is native to much of Europe and is the fabled daffodil of so much poetry. There are a number of subspecies: Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. calcicarpetanus; Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. eugeniae; Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. munozii-garmendiae; Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. pseudonarcissus; Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. pugsleyanus
21. Narcissus segurensis - native of 'alpine' Spain.
22. Narcissus varduliensis - native of Spain.
23. Narcissus yepesii - native of 'alpine' Spain.

• Narcissus sect. Serotini

1. Narcissus elegans - occurs in Spain, Italy and Fance. It is a fragrant white flower with an orange perianth. It grows in bunches rather than singly and blooms in April and May. One variety of note: Narcissus elegans var. elegans
2. Narcissus miniatus - from southern Spain, the Balearics and Crete. It has multi-florets colour 'miniatus', orange.
3. Narcissus serotinus - a miniature white narcissus with a white perianth without any noticeable crown. Found in Malta and Gozo.

• Narcissus sect. Tapeinanthus

1. Narcissus cavanillesii - it has tiny, bright-yellow flowers almost like a celandine in shape on a long stem.

• Narcissus sect. Tazettae

1. Narcissus canariensis -
2. Narcissus dubius - 'alpine' paperwhite narcissus.
3. Narcissus papyraceus - Paperwhite. Native of the Mediterranean. The fragrant white flowers grow in bunches. They flower in late December. There are a number of subspecies: Narcissus papyraceus subsp. pachybolbus; Narcissus papyraceus subsp. panizzianus; Narcissus papyraceus subsp. papyraceus; Narcissus papyraceus subsp. polyanthos
4. Narcissus tazetta - Chinese Sacred Lily, Bunch-flowered Narcissus, Joss flower. A fragrant Mediterranean flower. with a small yellow crown and white perianth. There are a number of subspecies: Narcissus tazetta subsp. aureus; Narcissus tazetta subsp. corcyrensis; Narcissus tazetta subsp. gussonei; Narcissus tazetta subsp. lacticolor; Narcissus tazetta subsp. italicus; Narcissus tazetta subsp. ochroleucus; Narcissus tazetta subsp. tazetta.

These are the Narcissus Nothospecies:

• Narcissus × abilioi -
• Narcissus × alejandrei -
• Narcissus × alleniae -
• Narcissus × aloysii-villarii -
• Narcissus × andorranus -
• Narcissus × aranensis -
• Narcissus × bakeri -
• Narcissus × boutignyanus -
• Narcissus × brevitubulosus -
• Narcissus × buxtonii -
• Narcissus × caramulensis -
• Narcissus × carringtonii -
• Narcissus × cazorlanus -
• Narcissus × compressus -
• Narcissus × confinalensis -
• Narcissus × consolationis -
• Narcissus × dordae -
• Narcissus × felineri -
• Narcissus × fosteri -
• Narcissus × georgemawii -
• Narcissus × gredensis -
• Narcissus × hannibalis -
• Narcissus × incomparabilis -
• Narcissus × infundibulum -
• Narcissus × intermedius -
• Narcissus × koshinomurae -
• Narcissus × laetus -
• Narcissus × libarensis -
• Narcissus × lopezii -
• Narcissus × maginae -
• Narcissus × magnenii -
• Narcissus × martinoae -
• NNarcissus × medioluteus -
• Narcissus × montserratii -
• Narcissus × neocarpetanus -
• Narcissus × nutans -
• Narcissus × obsoletus -
• Narcissus × odorus -
• Narcissus × paedagogorum -
• Narcissus × petri-mariae -
• Narcissus × poculiformis -
• Narcissus × ponsii-sorollae -
• Narcissus × pravianoi -
• Narcissus × pugsleyi -
• Narcissus × pujolii -
• Narcissus × rafaelii -
• Narcissus × rogendorfii -
• Narcissus × romoi -
• Narcissus × rupidulus -
• Narcissus × somedanus -
• Narcissus × stenanthus -
• Narcissus × taitii -
• Narcissus × tenuior -
• Narcissus × tuckeri -
• Narcissus × turgaliensis -
• Narcissus × xaverii

On your birth day the following major events occurred:

• 1700 - William Penn begins Black emancipation meetings
• 1800 - Indiana Territory organised
• 1832 - Greece becomes independent nation
• 1913 - House of Commons rejects women's right to vote.
• 1915 - Lusitania sunk by German torpedo
• 1928 - England lowers the age at which women can vote from 30 to 21.
• 1940 - Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of Britain
• 1945 - Germany signs surrender at Rheims
• 1965 - Ian Smith wins Rhodesian election
• 1971 - Concorde's first flight in France
• 1992 - Endeavour launched from Cape Canaveral

You share your birth day with:

• 1812 - Robert Browning
• 1833 - Johannes Brahms
• 1840 - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
• 1901 - Gary Cooper
• 1919 - Eva Peron-Duarte
• 1939 - Jimmy Ruffin