Daffodil
Narcissus pseudonarcissus
by Danielle Ragole
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The Narcissus pseudonarcissus is also commonly known
as the daffodil, buttercup, and the trumpet narcissus. It is a part of the
Liliaceae family. It is a wildflower that is native to Europe, particularly
Germany, UK, Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain. It was introduced to the
United States and is now found mainly on the eastern half of the country.
The daffodil is an easily recognized plant. It is a
showy plant with yellow and/or or white flowers that have a trumpet-shaped
central crown. Rosettes surround these yellow trumpets. Daffodils are
erect plants that range from 12 inches to 15 inches in height. They differ
from the other Liliaceae family members because of their unique trumpet.
They are bulbous plants that grows solitary or in clusters. Scientists have
genetically altered them so that they produce specific color combinations.
Their blooming season is in the early spring from February to
April. Because they bloom so early, people will strategically
grow them to fill in time before the other flowers bloom. They
need full sun or will survive in semi-shaded areas. They are
very short lived. You can find them just about anywhere in the
wild, from forests to roadsides to disturbed areas. |
The bulb and all aboveground parts of the daffodil are
toxic. This toxic chemical is called lycorine. If you have sensitive skin,
the aboveground parts can cause dermatitis. Their bulbs are easily mistaken
for onions, and therefore have been ingested. These are poisonous to humans
and other mammals. If ingested, it can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea,
dizziness, eczema, hoarseness, itchiness, nausea, and vomiting. Be careful
that your pets or livestock do not eat any of these while munching in the
grass. People have also found daffodils useful in folk medicine.
Dating back to the 4th Century BC, scientists have been using
parts of daffodils in anticancer medicine.
Written spring 2004, as a service learning
project for Dr. Gary Coté's Biology 102 class at Radford University. Copyright
Pathways for Radford. |
