Narcissus pseudonarcissus

Narcissus pseudonarcissus (2n=14, 22, 26, with numerous aneuploid and polyploid derivatives) commonly known as Daffodil is a well-known European flower and an important ornamental crop. 

Photograph of solitary Daffodil flower.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae
Superorder: Lilianae
Order: Asparagales

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Genus: Narcissus
Species: N. pseudonarcissus

Inflorescence

Usually a solitary flower is produced at the tip of a leafless peduncle or scape, arising from basal rosette (scapose). The scape is found form an umbel with up to 20 blooms, in some Narcissus sp..

Botanical illustration of Narcissus pseudonarcissus.

Anthesis
Flowers are usually produced from March to April. Prior to opening, the flower buds are enveloped and protected in a thin dry papery or membranous (scarious) spathe. As the bud grows, the spathe splits longitudinally.

Floral Morphology

The spathe consists of a singular bract that is ribbed, and which remains wrapped around the base of the open flower. Bracteoles are small or absent.
The flowers of Narcissus are hermaphroditic (bisexual). Floral symmetry is actinomorphic (radial) to slightly zygomorphic (bilateral) due to declinate-ascending stamens.

Dissected daffodil flower.

Perianth: Perianth consist of deeply clefted 6 connate segments which may be thought as a ring of 3 sepals and 3 petals (perianth), which are yellow in colour. The perianth is funneliform at the base forming the proximal floral tube or hypanthium. A central bell-shaped crown, or corona, that is frilled at its edges, is the flower’s most conspicuous feature. This 'trumpet' is usually darker yellow in colour. The ring of tepals and the 'trumpet' and  are roughly the same length.

The daffodil’s popularity has resulted in the production of many varieties differing from the yellow parent form mainly in colour; the trumpet and petals may themselves be of contrasting yellow, white, pink, or orange.

Androecium: The trumpet or corona contains six stamens in one to two rows (whorls). Filaments are separate, often of two separate lengths, and attached at the throat or base of the tube (epipetalous). They are straight or declinate-ascending (which curve downwards, then bent up at the tip). The anthers are basifixed (attached at their base).

Illustration of daffodil cross section.

Gynoecium: The ovary is inferior (perianth arises above its apex) and trilocular (three chambered). The pistil is with a minutely three lobed stigma. The filiform (thread like) style, is often exserted (extending beyond the tube).

Fruit
The fruit consists of dehiscent loculicidal capsules (splitting between the locules) that are ellipsoid to subglobose (almost spherical) in shape and are papery to leathery in texture. The fruit contains numerous subglobose seeds which are round and swollen with a hard coat, sometimes with an attached elaiosome. The testa is black and the pericarp dry.

Daffodil capsule with seeds visible inside.

Arbitrary Numbers
The flowers are up to 60 mm long.

Interesting Facts

• The Latin name was inspired by Narcissus, a figure in Greek mythology said to have fallen in love with his reflection in a pool of water. The nodding head of the daffodil is said to represent Narcissus bending down and gazing at his reflection. 
• The daffodil is the national flower of Wales, and also the county flower of Gloucestershire.

Useful Links: 

1. Kew Botanical Garden Record
2. Glossary of botanical terms
3. Dessecting a daffodil