Greek Mythology: Narcissus

Narcissus /n?:r's?s?s/ is a genus of predominantly spring perennial crops in the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis) family. Various common labels including daffodil,[notes 1] daffadowndilly,[3] narcissus, and jonquil are used to describe all or some known members of the genus. Narcissus has conspicuous flowers with six petal-like tepals surmounted by the cup- or trumpet-shaped corona. The blossoms are generally white or yellow (orange or pink in garden varieties), with either uniform or contrasting colored tepals and corona.

Narcissus were popular in old civilisation, both medicinally and botanically, but formally described by Linnaeus in his Types Plantarum (1753). The genus is generally considered to have about ten portions with roughly 50 species. The amount of varieties has varied, depending about how they are categorised, thanks to similarity between hybridization and types. The genus arose some right amount of time in the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene epochs, in the Iberian peninsula and adjacent regions of southwest Europe. The exact origins of the real name Narcissus is unknown, but it is often linked to a Greek term for intoxicated (narcotic) and the misconception of the children of this name who fell in love with his own representation. The English word 'daffodil' is apparently derived from "asphodel", with which it was compared commonly.

The types are local to meadows and woods in southern European countries and North Africa with a centre of diversity in the American Mediterranean, particularly the Iberian peninsula. Both wild and cultivated plants have naturalised widely, and were unveiled into the Far East to the tenth century prior. Narcissi tend to be long-lived bulbs, which propagate by division, but are insect-pollinated also. Known pests, diseases and disorders include viruses, fungi, the larvae of flies, nematodes and mites. Some Narcissus species have grown to be extinct, while some are threatened by increasing tourism and urbanisation.

Historical accounts suggest narcissi have been cultivated from the initial times, but became ever more popular in Europe after the 16th hundred years and by the past due 19th hundred years were an important commercial crop centred mainly on holland. Narcissi are popular as slice bouquets and since ornamental plants in private and general population gardens today. The long history of breeding has led to thousands of different cultivars. For horticultural purposes, narcissi are categorized into divisions, covering an array of shapes and colours. Like other members of the family, narcissi produce a true number of different alkaloids, which provide some protection for the plant, but may be poisonous if accidentally ingested. This property has been exploited for medicinal use within traditional healing and has led to the production of galantamine for the treatment of Alzheimer's dementia. Long celebrated in books and skill, narcissi are associated with a number of themes in several cultures, ranging from death to good fortune, and as symbols of spring and coil. The daffodil is the nationwide flower of Wales and the mark of tumors charities in many countries. The appearance of the outdoors flowers in spring and coil is associated with celebrations in many places.

Narcissus is a genus of perennial herbaceous bulbiferous geophytes, dying back again after flowering for an underground storage light bulb. They regrow in the following yr from brown-skinned ovoid lights with pronounced necks, and reach heights of 5-80 cm with respect to the species. Dwarf types such as N. asturiensis have a maximum elevation of 5-8 cm, while Narcissus tazetta might develop as tall as 80 cm.

The plants are scapose, having a single central leafless hollow bloom stem (scape). Several blue-green or green, narrow, strap-shaped leaves come up from the bulb. The vegetable stem bears a solitary bloom, but occasionally a cluster of plants (umbel). The flowers, which can be conspicuous and white or yellowish usually, both or rarely inexperienced sometimes, consist of a perianth of three parts. Closest to the stem (proximal) is a floral tube above the ovary, then an external ring composed of six tepals (undifferentiated sepals and petals), and a central disc to conical shaped corona. The plants may hang up down (pendent), or be erect. A couple of six pollen bearing stamens bordering a central style. The ovary is inferior (below the floral parts) consisting of three chambers (trilocular). The fruits contains a dried capsule that splits (dehisces) launching numerous black seeds.

The bulb sits dormant following the leaves and flower stem die back and has contractile roots that move it down further into the soil. The rose leaves and stem form in the light, to emerge the next season. Most species are dormant from summer season to overdue winter, flowering in the springtime, though a few kinds are autumn flowering.

Narcissus Pictures

Narcissus Mythology Related Keywords amp; Suggestions Narcissus

Pin Narcissus Greek Mythology Symbol on Pinterest

Narcissus Mythology Story Pictures

Greek Mythology: Echo