The MGS Forum

Plant identification => Plant identification => Topic started by: gertrude on April 10, 2018, 08:46:12 PM

Title: Narcissus elegans ?
Post by: gertrude on April 10, 2018, 08:46:12 PM: ISilly me, think I may have put this in the wrong subject earlier, so this is another attempt to get an identification.

These narcissus are flowering in a field opposite our house and according to my wild flower books I believe they are Narcissus elegans , but then I read that they flower in the Autumn? so I am confused.
The petals which fold back are 1 -1.5cms and the the flower approx 3cms wide. See photo
Title: Re: Narcissus elegans ?
Post by: JTh on April 11, 2018, 10:46:44 AM: I believe it is Narcissus tazetta, in spite of the books saying that they flower in the winter (October - March). I found some clumps of daffodils that looked exactly like yours yesterday, they were growing at the edge of grazing area for sheep and goats. I wondered if they were garden escapes, but maybe not, its 'said to be a widespread species, native to the Mediterranean region from Portugal to Turkey.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/783/41383971921_59f13e129a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/263XF4g)
P4109374.jpg Narcissus tazetta (https://flic.kr/p/263XF4g) by Jorun Tharaldsen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/46063510@N03/), on Flickr

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/805/40488998095_f252e1fabe_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24FSGw4)
IMG_20180410_130450-2.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24FSGw4) by Jorun Tharaldsen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/46063510@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Narcissus elegans ?
Post by: gertrude on April 11, 2018, 09:37:25 PM: OK, after much searching I think I found a way to reply.

Dont think your photos are of same species as mine. The ones I have seen have definable pointed petals as seen more clearly in the attached photo.
Title: Re: Narcissus elegans ?
Post by: Hilary on April 12, 2018, 05:31:11 AM: Do they have a strong scent?
Title: Re: Narcissus elegans ?
Post by: gertrude on April 12, 2018, 06:44:52 AM: They have a lovely perfume but would not describe as 'strong'. Not like usual narcissus smell.
Title: Re: Narcissus elegans ?
Post by: Alisdair on April 24, 2018, 11:52:07 AM: Jan, I've put a message on the original thread (catching up after a fortnight away), before seeing this. I'm pretty sure your plants are Narcissus tazetta. Its petals can be pointed (especially in the subsp. italicus), and can be reflexed.
Title: Re: Narcissus elegans ?
Post by: oron peri on August 11, 2018, 09:08:15 AM: It is Narcissus tazetta ssp. tazetta. Many of the population have these reflected pointed petals.
Narcissus tazetta has an autumnal flowering form which blooms as early as October mainly in south Greece (Peloponnese) and the eastern mediterranean. The winter/spring form satrts in January - March -(April).

In marche you have also N. tazetta ssp. italicus but this seems to be a wrong name given to a natural hybrid between Narcissus papyraceus and Narcissus tazetta. Both growing in Marche.
Title: Re: Narcissus elegans ?
Post by: Alisdair on August 12, 2018, 08:14:34 AM: Thanks, Oron!
Title: Re: Narcissus elegans ?
Post by: Trevor Australis on August 20, 2018, 01:32:27 AM: I wondered if it could be Narcissus canaliculatus? It is difficult to judge the scale of growth from the pictures shown.
Title: Re: Narcissus elegans ?
Post by: Alisdair on August 20, 2018, 07:19:47 AM: Nowadays N. canaliculatus isn't reckoned to be really distinct from N. tazetta - the taxonomists rate that old name as synonymous - so no wonder you wondered, that, Trevor! (And thanks, by the way, for all your other helpful recent comments, too)