Daffodil, Narcissus - Origin & History

Botanical Name: Narcissus

The daffodil, also known as the jonquil or narcissus, is believed to have been brought to Britain by the Romans. Sometimes people differentiate daffodils from narcissus based upon size but this is inaccurate as Daffodil and Narcissus can be used interchangeably to refer to the same flowers. The daffodil contains a sap that deters animals from consuming them.

Daffodils, the birth flower of March is associated with Springtime and rebirth. Daffodils are often found connected with Easter and Easter Religious Services because of their new birth significance.

The Greeks originally associated Daffodils with death as according to Greek myth, Daffodils grew in the meadows of the Underworld, kingdom of the dead. According to this legend it was here that Hades captured Persephone after she had strayed from her companions to pick some daffodils.

The Daffodil's alternate name, narcissus, is associated with the handsome Greek youth Narcissus. While walking by a river one day, Narcissus stooped to take a drink. Wanting to possess the image of himself he saw in the water, he leaned further over and drowned. The Daffodil's "drooping" is said to symbolize Narcissus still stooping to admire himself.

Daffodils come in a wide range of sizes from the smallest which are commonly known as Narcissus to the large often called Daffodil. The trumpet can range from obscure to very large and the colors can include yellows, greens, orange, red orange and white with the most common being yellow. Daffodils speak the language of flowers by saying "the Sun always shines when I am with you". Daffodils are often associated with unrequited love, respect and regard. A woman giving Daffodils to a man has noticed that he is chivalrous.

Purchase when the flower position, relative to the stem, is between straight and bent to a 45 degree angle.

Daffodils are one of the easiest flowers for the non-experienced floral arranger to arrange at home. Daffodils are very soft stemmed and cut easily with a knife of kitchen sheers. Daffodils lend themselves well to a variety of containers you might find in your cupboard such as large canning jar, water glass, tea pot and other such water proof "vases". Simply fill the vase 1/2 to 3/4 full of fresh water to which floral preservative has been added (according to manufacturers instructions). Give the Daffodils a fresh cut and place immediately into water. Generally speaking the arrangement will look best and be well balanced if the flowers are approximately twice as high as the container. If the container is especially "heavy looking" you may need additional length.

The consumer should expect properly handled, fresh daffodils to brighten their home for 5 to 7 days.