NARCISSUS TAZETTA subsp. TAZETTA

Family and Genus:- See- AMARYLLIDACEAE/Sect. TAZEITAE

Common Names:- Polyanthus narcissus, Rose of Sharon.

Homotypic Synonyms:- None.

Meaning:- Narcissus (Gr) After a youth in Greek mythology.

Tazetta (Gr) Little cup.(referring to the corolla).

General description:- Very variable, medium, hairless, bulbous perennial.

Stems:-

1) 20-45 cm, leafless, stout.

Bulb:-

1) Up to 50 x 35 mm.

Leaves:-

1) 5-25mm wide, broadly ligulate, slightly canaliculate, glaucous

Flowers:-

1) Umbels, of 3-7, fragrant flowers.

2) Spathe, 30-50 mm, scarious,

3) Hypanthial tube, 12-18 mm.

4) Perianth-segments, 8-22 mm, spreading, usually broadly ovate and contiguous

or imbricate

5) Corona, 3-6 x 6-11 mm, about twice as wide as high, yellow or orange.

6) Stamens, upper whorl, protruding beyond the hypanthial tube, at least in part,

but included in the corona.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, with 3 valves, green.

Key features:-

1) Scape, compressed, 2-edged.

2) Leaves, ± flat, not deeply canaliculate.

3) Flowers, usually 3-15.

4) Hypanthial tube, 12-18 mm.

5) Perianth, pure white.

6) Corona, bright to deep yellow.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Meadows, grassy places, cultivated fields, open shrubby ground, rock

crevices. 0-800 m.

Distribution:- Peloponnisos, Ionia. - Mediterranean region. Fairly widespread on

Crete.

Flowering time:- Jan-Apr.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton.