Written by Margaret Baker, Development Intern
The Daffodil, or Narcissus, as it is technically named, originated in Spain and Portugal and consists of over 50 species and about 13,000 hybrids. The ancient Greeks believed the daffodil plant originated from the vain Narcissus leaving the flower to become a symbol of unrequited love. In Western cultures the daffodil is a symbol of vanity where as in Eastern cultures it is a symbol of wealth and good fortune.
All daffodils have a bell-shaped center -perianth- with a ring of 6 petals -corona- all connected at the base of the perianth. The standard color is a bright yellow but with the numerous species and hybrids, they can be a variation of colors. The perianth and corona are typically identical to one another in color, hence the standard bright yellow daffodil most people come across. Some other species and hybrids have completely contrasting colors making each daffodil unique.
Daffodils that grow in Florida were cultivated over centuries to grow in the hot climate of the state, great for The Cummer Gardens, and once they start growing they do not require much attention.
