Bunch-Flowered Daffodil

Narcissus tazetta is native to the Mediterranean region, extending from the western Mediterranean (Portugal, Morocco) through southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and into Central and South Asia (Kashmir, western China).

• Native range spans the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, and parts of Central and South Asia
• Has been naturalized in many regions worldwide, including parts of East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and North America
• Thrives in regions with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers — a classic Mediterranean climate pattern
• One of the earliest Narcissus species brought into cultivation, with records of forced flowering in ancient Egypt and China
• In China, it has been cultivated for over 1,000 years, particularly as a potted New Year decoration

Narcissus tazetta is a perennial bulbous herbaceous plant, typically growing 20 to 50 cm tall.

Bulb & Roots:
• Bulb is tunicate, ovoid to globose, 3–5 cm in diameter, with a brown outer tunic
• Produces contractile roots that pull the bulb deeper into the soil over time

Leaves:
• Basal, linear, flat to slightly keeled, 20–45 cm long and 1–2 cm wide
• Glaucous green to blue-green in color
• Erect to slightly arching, emerging from the bulb base

Flowers:
• Inflorescence is a terminal umbel bearing 3 to 20 flowers on a hollow scape
• Each flower has 6 white tepals (outer perianth segments) and a short, cup-shaped yellow corona (3–6 mm long)
• Flowers are strongly fragrant, with a sweet, heady scent
• Individual flowers are 2–3 cm in diameter
• Blooms in late winter to early spring (December to March depending on climate)

Fruit & Seeds:
• Capsule is ovoid, three-valved, containing numerous black seeds
• Seeds are small, angular, and dispersed by gravity and water

Narcissus tazetta occupies a range of habitats within its native and naturalized range:

• Grasslands, meadows, and open woodland margins
• Rocky slopes and scrubland
• Riverbanks and seasonally moist areas
• Cultivated fields, gardens, and disturbed ground

Pollination:
• Flowers are pollinated by a variety of insects, including bees, butterflies, and hoverflies
• The strong fragrance serves to attract pollinators during the cooler months when fewer competing flowers are in bloom

Seasonal Cycle:
• Emerges in autumn or early winter; flowers in late winter to early spring
• Foliage dies back completely in late spring to early summer
• Enters summer dormancy as a dormant bulb underground — an adaptation to hot, dry summers

Narcissus tazetta is classified as a poisonous plant. All parts of the plant contain toxic alkaloids and calcium oxalate crystals.

Toxic Compounds:
• Lycorine — the primary toxic alkaloid, present in all plant parts but concentrated in the bulb
• Other Amaryllidaceae alkaloids including tazettine, haemanthamine, and narciclasine
• Calcium oxalate raphides (needle-shaped crystals) in plant tissues

Symptoms of Ingestion:
• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea
• In severe cases: tremors, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmias, and potentially death
• The bulb is the most toxic part and can be mistaken for edible onions or shallots

Dermal Irritation:
• Handling bulbs or plant sap can cause contact dermatitis ("daffodil itch") in sensitive individuals
• Symptoms include redness, itching, and blistering of the skin

• The bitter taste of the plant usually deters consumption, but accidental poisoning does occur, particularly in children and pets
• Medical attention should be sought immediately if ingestion is suspected

Narcissus tazetta is widely grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a forced indoor potted plant.

Light:
• Full sun to partial shade
• Requires at least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight for optimal flowering

Soil:
• Well-drained, fertile soil; tolerates a range of soil types including sandy and clay loams
• Prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0)
• Does not tolerate waterlogged conditions, which can cause bulb rot

Watering:
• Water regularly during active growth (autumn through spring)
• Reduce watering after foliage yellows and dies back in late summer
• For potted indoor forcing: keep the growing medium consistently moist but not saturated

Temperature:
• Hardy in USDA zones 5–9
• Requires a period of cool temperatures (10–15°C) for root development after planting
• For indoor forcing: cool temperatures (10–13°C) for root initiation, then move to warmer conditions (15–18°C) for flowering

Planting Depth & Spacing:
• Plant bulbs 10–15 cm deep, spaced 10–15 cm apart
• Plant in autumn for spring flowering

Propagation:
• Primarily by bulb offsets (daughter bulbs) that form around the parent bulb
• Can also be grown from seed, though this method takes 3–5 years to produce flowering-size bulbs