Narcissus pseudonarcissus Wild Daffodil PFAF Plant Database

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Narcissus pseudonarcissus - L.

Common Name

Wild Daffodil

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are poisonous[4, 10, 76], the toxins being found mainly in the bulb[65], but even the flowers are mildly toxic[4]. An extract of the bulb, when applied to open wounds, has caused staggering, numbness of the whole nervous system and paralysis of the heart[4].

Habitats

Moist woodlands and grassland[17].

Range

Western Europe, including Britain.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Narcissus pseudonarcissus is a BULB growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Mar to April. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.


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Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Lawn; Meadow;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Astringent; Emetic.

The bulbs, leaves and flowers are astringent and powerfully emetic[4]. The bulb, especially, is narcotic and depresses the nervous system[4]. It has been used in the treatment of hysterical affections and even epilepsy with some effect[4]. The bulb is harvested in the winter and dried for later use[4]. The flowers are harvested in dry weather when they are fully open and should be dried quickly[4]. They are less powerful than the bulbs but are also considered to be antispasmodic and are useful in relieving the congestive bronchial catarrh of children and also useful in cases of epidemic dysentery[4].

Other Uses
Dye. A yellow to gold dye is obtained from the flowers[168].

Cultivation details
Prefers a deep rather stiff soil but succeeds in most soils[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in sun or shade[31]. Grows well on woodland edges[24]. The flowers have the sweet woodland perfume of the primrose[245]. This is not very discernible when only a few plants are grown, but is quite noticeable in a group of plants[245].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. A short stratification will improve the germination of stored seed. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be left undisturbed in the pot for their first two years of growth. Give them an occasional liquid feed in the growing season to ensure they do not become nutrient deficient. When the plants become dormant in the summer, pot up the small bulbs placing 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for another one or two years in the greenhouse before planting them out when they are dormant in late summer. Division of bulbs after the leaves die down in early summer[1]. Larger bulbs can be replanted immediately into their permanent positions, or can be stored in a cool place and then be planted out in the autumn. It is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year before planting them out when dormant in the autumn.

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
17200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.

Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[24]Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.

[31]Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

[168]Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants.

A very good and readable book on dyeing.

[245]Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World.

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers comment

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