Narcissus and Daffodil

Classification of Narcissus 45
Type species: N. bulbocodium L.
Note: The ‘Hoop Petticoat’ daffodils cannot be confused with any other group of
species, with their very narrow perianth segments and prominent, broadly funnelshaped
corona. However, within the group they present great problems of classification.
Many taxa have been described, at varying levels, but the account of
Fernandes (1967) is that usually followed, recognising five species within the
section – N. bulbocodium, N. romieuxii, N. cantabricus, N. obesus and N. hedraeanthus,
with several named variants of each of the first three of these; this classification is
largely followed here. Progress will probably only be made via a thorough field
study of the plants comprising this section using modern statistical methods,
coupled with molecular investigations. Although many of the taxa, as listed below,
have characters which overlap those of others, thus rendering the treatment
unsatisfactory, it would be even more unsatisfactory, especially for the purposes of
communication, to lump all of them together under one species, N. bulbocodium.
N. blancoi Barra and Lopez. This is the plant known previously as N. cantabricus
ssp. luteolentus Barra and Lopez (see below).
N. bulbocodium L. Flowers in varying shades of yellow. Anthers usually included
or equalling the corona.
ssp. bulbocodium Usually spring-flowering. Flowers pale to bright yellow, usually
2.5–4.5 cm long; corona obconical, not narrowed at the mouth.
var. bulbocodium. Pedicel usually up to 2 cm long; perianth usually up to
3 cm long. Spain, Portugal, south-western and western France, Morocco.
var. nivalis (Graells) Baker. Similar to above; abaxial surface of leaves
deeply striate, scape ridged. Mountain plants from Spain, Portugal, Morocco.
Plants described from Spain as N. jeanmonodii Casas, N. juressianus Casas and
N. subnivalis Casas all appear to be very similar to this.
var. quintanilhae Fernandes. This is described as large, 15–40 cm tall with
flowers up to 3.5 cm long. Central-eastern Portugal.
var. conspicuus (Haworth) Baker. Robust plants with leaves to 2.5mm
wide. Pedicels usually more than 2 cm long. Flowers usually 3–3.5 cm
long; corona ca. 2 cm diameter at the mouth. Spain, Portugal, western
France.
var. serotinus (Haworth) A. Fernandes. Similar to above but leaves to
4 mm wide. Flower usually 3.5–5 cm long; corona ca. 3 cm diameter at mouth.
Western Portugal.
var. citrinus Baker [syn. N. lainzii Barra and Lopez]. Flowers lemon
yellow, 3.5–5 cm long; corona ca. 2.5 cm diameter at the mouth, crenulate.
Northern Spain.
var. graellsii (Webb) Baker. Dwarf plants with primrose coloured flowers
with exserted stamens. Central Spain.
var. ectandrum Casas. Dwarf plants with prostrate leaves; flowers yellow
with a widely flaring corona and spreading perianth segments. Central
Spain.
var. pallidus (Gatt. and Weiller) Maire and Weiller. Robust, with primrose
yellow flowers; corona a wide, wavy-margined funnel ca. 3.5 cm across.
Morocco.