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Names are an important factor in any living thing. Names show relationships, differences, etymological origin, and sometimes uses.
Yet, in the case of the narcissus, daffodil, and jonquil, names do not help shed the light on their mystery.
Historical background about greek mythology might be of help as we make to unravel the differences and relationship between these three plants.
Having different makeup and color combinations, it is usually easy to assume that a difference exists between these three plants.
The narcissus usually has a green stem with slim leaves that hold flowers of white colors.
The flowers of the narcissus plant have a yellow bud, within the white flower.
This keeps the plant looking like a white background with a touch of yellow when looked at from afar.
The Jonquil, on the other hand, has mixed flower colors of either yellow or white.
The yellow flowers usually have an orange bud within them, while the white-colored ones have yellow buds like the Narcissus.
The Daffodils are dominantly yellow with yellow buds although some of them grow orange buds.
The physical outlook of these three plants is enough reason to mistake them for entirely different species with slight similarities.
But does there truly exist differences between the narcissus, daffodil, and jonquils? Do they differ from each other structurally or the perceived differences are misconceptions and unverified facts?
This article identifies the differences and similarities between narcissus, daffodils, and jonquils. It also outlines the best ways of caring for the daffodil, jonquil, and narcissus plants.
This could just be your most interesting read yet.
What Is the Difference Between Daffodils And Jonquils And Narcissus
There actually exists no difference between a daffodil and a narcissus plant. Narcissus is a genus name for flowering plants in the Amaryllidaceae family.
The narcissus flower is characterized by basal leaves that may or may not have petioles.
Their flowers are usually hermaphroditic, have some form of fragrance, and are usually three parts.
A daffodil plant is a species in the narcissus genus called the trumpet narcissus. A daffodil plant has the same characteristics as a narcissus.
The only adaptation of the daffodil over the main narcissus is its trumpet-like flower.
The Jonquil plant is either called narcissus jonquil or rush daffodil. This is to insinuate that a jonquil plant is a daffodil belonging to the narcissus genus.
Daffodils possess the same characteristics as narcissus and daffodils.
By way of reiteration, there exists no difference between a narcissus, daffodil, and jonquil plant. They are simply different species in the family Amaryllidaceae.
leaves have the same colors, structures, and they have the same number of petals on their flowers.
There only exists a difference in flower color between daffodil and jonquils.
The difference is that jonquil flowers bloom and display a yellow flower with white, while when daffodils bloom, they produce flowers of different colors.
Sometimes white, pink, red, and purple, as the case may be.
Can Daffodils Change to Jonquils?
The answer to this is a big resounding no.
A daffodil plant is slightly unique from a jonquil and even though they belong to the same genus, the daffodil cannot change into a jonquil plant.
it’s not evolutionary possible nor is it a function of adaptation.
The truth about jonquils being called rush daffodil isn’t in the insinuation that daffodils can somehow transform to become jonquils.
The truth is that jonquils represent the fragranced species of the narcissus collection, while the daffodil is the big leafed un-fragranced one.
A jonquil and a daffodil cannot interchange these properties or mature to become the other.
Why is a Daffodil Called Narcissus?
A daffodil is in the same family Amaryllidaceae as the narcissus.
The narcissus is a genus name for the varied species of flowers that make up the family. It is like a man and his surname.
A man can be called by his surname as well as his name, but it does not mean that he is his father, the original owner of the name.
This is the same with a daffodil and narcissus. The narcissus is the surname (botanical name) of the daffodil, hence the daffodil is usually called narcissus at will.
The daffodil is also called narcissus in error by those who cannot tell accurately the distinguishing characteristics in a daffodil and narcissus.
What Does a Narcissus Flower Look Like?
The narcissus plant has visible leaves with flowers that are shaped like trumpets.
They have a petal-like tepal and a cup-like corona which houses the tepal.
They usually produce flowers that are white and yellow in colorations, but certain garden-raised varieties have orange and pink colors.
How Many Types of Daffodils Are There
There are about 1300 different types of daffodils that exist.
This figure includes hybrids and all of the genetically modified types. Some popular daffodil types include:
1. Trumpet or long cup daffodil
2. Petit four daffodil
3. New baby daffodil
4. Crewenna daffodil
5. Red Devon daffodil
6. Valdomme daffodil
7. Sir Winston Churchhill daffodil
8. Tahiti daffodil
9. Ziva Paperwhite
10. Toto daffodil
These are only a few of the commonest forms of daffodils.
Each of these types has slight altercations from the other type, but they are all the same species and have the same characteristics.
A daffodil plant is prone to evolutions and can adapt to its environment.
This is one of the reasons for the multiple types of daffodils.
Growth Requirements of Daffodils and Jonquils
· Begin cultivation two weeks before the start of winter because the daffodil and jonquil bulb thrives in cold conditions
· Use quality plant bulbs for propagation. if possible, select the ones that are still fresh and still have moisture in them.
· Use good spacing when planting. Do not cluster the daffodil and jonquil bulbs too close to each other.
Also, make the holes deep and wide enough to provide turgidity to the daffodil plant as it grows.
· Select a soil type that is fertile, well-draining, and can retain moisture content. An infertile soil could lead to the late blossoming of the daffodil.
Treat the soil regularly with compost manure to preserve and restore soil pH levels.
· Daffodils do not hate sunlight. In fact, they grow well under bright sunlight.
Ensure to locate your daffodil plant, where it is exposed to adequate sunlight especially in early spring.
Care of the narcissus plant
The following techniques should be adopted to care for your narcissus plant.
1. Maintain constantly moisturized soil. Ensure the soil on which the narcissus plants are grown, always has moisture. But do not overwater.
2. Once the plants begin to bloom, keep them away from direct sunlight.
3. If the bulbs do not bloom on time, apply fertilizers that are low in nitrogen content.
4. Practice deadheading of the plants after they finish blooming for the season.
5. After harvesting the narcissus plant, ensure you subject the plant to “curing”
Popular Facts and Myths about Daffodils, Narcissus and Jonquils
The first you should know is that the plant has its name from Greek mythology.
There used to be a very handsome man named Narcissus. He was a hunter renowned for his bravery and mighty hunting expeditions.
He was so handsome that almost every lady in Greece wanted to have him.
But, he turned down all romantic advances and instead fell in love with his reflection which he saw on a riverbank.
He died not loving any other person but himself whom he always stared at from the reflection of the water.
After he died, a flower grew out of his position and it was given his name- narcissus.
Here are five popular facts and myths about the daffodil, narcissus, and jonquil plants.
They have their origin from Greek mythology and ancient traditions.
1. Daffodils bring happiness
2. A holiday to celebrate daffodils
3. A drug for brain cancer
4. A sign of misfortune
5. Natural Pesticides
Daffodils Bring Happiness
It is believed that presenting a bunch of daffodils to someone will bring happiness to the person it is presented to.
It is also believed that if someone spots the blooming process of the daffodil plant, they would have the next one year of their life full of happiness.
A holiday to Celebrate Daffodil
It is fact that in Welsh Wales, England, a day is set aside to celebrate daffodils. This day is the 1st of March every year, and it is a national holiday.
A Drug for Brain Cancer
The daffodil is believed to contain narciclasine which is effective for treating the effects of brain cancer.
Narciclasine is a toxic compound found in various Amaryllidaceae species.
A Sign of Misfortune
As much as the daffodils are believed to be plants that mark the beginning of a happy life for individuals, it is also believed to be a pointer and bringer of sorrow.
It is believed that if just a single daffodil flower is offered to someone as a present, the person is going to have a string of unfortunate events.
Natural Pesticides
The cultivation of daffodils keeps the farmer free from thoughts about pests. This is because the daffodil produces a toxic liquid that repels pests and insects from the daffodil leaves and flowers.
Conclusion
We have established in this article and given reasons to authenticate the fact that there are really no differences between a daffodil, narcissus, and a jonquil plant.
They all belong to the Amaryllidaceae family and exhibit the same characteristics,
