Home Flower Identifier Flower Details
Daffodil
🌸

Daffodil

Narcissus pseudonarcissus

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
Related

Basic Details

NameDaffodil
DescriptionBeloved spring bulb featuring cheerful blooms with six petal-like tepals surrounding a distinctive trumpet or cup-shaped corona (crown). Flowers appear in shades of yellow, white, orange, pink, and bicolors, often with contrasting coronas, blooming from late winter through mid-spring. Symbol of spring renewal and hope, daffodils are the emblem of cancer charities worldwide and the national flower of Wales, celebrated for their ability to naturalize and return year after year with minimal care.
FamilyAmaryllidaceae
GenusNarcissus
TribeNarcisseae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ P(3+3) A(3+3) G(3)

Ebracteate (no bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 6 tepals in 2 whorls of 3 (perianth, no distinction between sepals and petals) with corona (modified staminal structure), 6 stamens in 2 whorls of 3, 3 fused carpels with inferior ovary

Features
  • Name 'daffodil' possibly from Dutch 'de affodil' (the asphodel) or Middle English 'affodyle.' 'Narcissus' from Greek myth of youth who fell in love with his reflection and transformed into flower. 'Jonquil' refers to fragrant N. jonquilla species. National flower of Wales (Cennin Pedr = Peter's Leek). Over 50 species, 13,000+ cultivars
  • Flowers 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) across with 6 petal-like tepals (perianth) surrounding central trumpet or cup (corona). Trumpet daffodils have corona as long as or longer than tepals; large-cupped have corona more than 1/3 tepal length; small-cupped less than 1/3. Colors include yellow, white, orange, pink, and bicolors. 1-20 flowers per stem depending on type
  • Bulbous perennial that blooms late winter through mid-spring (February-May depending on variety and climate). Divided into 13 divisions by flower form. Foliage emerges before or with flowers, must remain 6-8 weeks after blooming to replenish bulb. Goes dormant in summer
  • Grows 6-24 inches (15-60 cm) tall depending on variety (miniatures 4-6 inches, standards 12-18 inches, tall 18-24 inches). Lifespan of many years (10-20+), naturalizes and multiplies. Propagated by bulb offsets (divide every 3-5 years) or seed (takes 5-7 years to bloom)
  • Native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, particularly Mediterranean region, Iberian Peninsula, and British Isles. N. pseudonarcissus (wild daffodil) native to Western Europe. Now naturalized in temperate regions worldwide. Found in meadows, woodlands, and rocky slopes
  • Requires full sun to partial shade (minimum 6 hours sun for best blooming). Prefers well-drained soil, tolerates various soil types. Plant bulbs in fall (September-November) 6 inches deep, pointed end up. Needs cold period (40-45°F/4-7°C) for 12-16 weeks. Hardy zones 3-9
  • Excellent for naturalizing in lawns, woodlands, and borders. Popular cut flower (lasts 4-7 days; sap toxic to other flowers). Deer and rodent resistant due to toxic alkaloids (especially lycorine). All parts poisonous if ingested—causes vomiting, diarrhea. Symbol of cancer charities (Marie Curie, American Cancer Society). Can be forced indoors for winter blooms

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificNarcissus pseudonarcissus
English (Alternate)Lent lily, Jonquil
Hindiनरगिस (Nargis)
Tamilபேரரளி (PeraRali)
Teluguనర్సిస్సు (Narsissu), నార్సిసస్ పువ్వు (narcissus puvvu)
Malayalamഡാഫോഡിൽ (Daffodil), നാർസിസ്സസ് (Nārcissas), നർഗിസ് (Nargis)
Kannada ಡ್ಯಾಫ಼ೊಡಿಲ್ (ḍāphōḍil), ನಾರ್ಸಿಸಸ್ (nārsissas), ಮಂಜಳಹೂ (mañjaḷahū), ಮಂಜಳಹೂವು (mañjaḷahūvu)
Sanskritनर्किसः (Narkisaḥ), नरगिस पुष्पं (Nargis Pushpam), इन्दिरा (Indira)
Bengaliনার্গিস ফুল (Nargis Phul), পুষ্পবৃক্ষ(pushpabrikkho), পীতবর্ণ (peetborn)
Frenchla jonquille
Russianнарци́сс (nartsiss)
Spanishnarciso, el narciso
GermanNarzisse, Osterglocke

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.