Narcissus Flycatcher A Birder´s Blog

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

Narcissus were popular in old civilisation, both and botanically medicinally, but formally described by Linnaeus in his Varieties Plantarum (1753). The genus is generally considered to have about ten sections with about 50 species. The amount of kinds has varied, depending how they are categorised, due to similarity between hybridization and types. The genus arose a while in the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene epochs, in the Iberian peninsula and adjacent areas of southwest Europe. The precise source of the real name Narcissus is anonymous, but it is linked to a Greek phrase for intoxicated (narcotic) and the misconception of the children of this name who fell deeply in love with his own reflection. The English expression 'daffodil' appears to be derived from "asphodel", with which it was likened commonly.

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

Historical accounts suggest narcissi have been cultivated from the initial times, but became ever more popular in Europe following the 16th century and by the later 19th hundred years were an important commercial crop centred mainly on holland. Narcissi are popular as cut blossoms so that ornamental plant life 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 colours and shapes. Like other members of the family, narcissi create a 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 treating Alzheimer's dementia. Long celebrated in fine art and literature, narcissi are associated with a number of themes in various cultures, ranging from death to good fortune, and as symbols of spring and coil. The daffodil is the national flower of Wales and the image of tumor charities in many countries. The appearance of the outrageous flowers in springtime is associated with celebrations in many places.

Narcissus is a genus of perennial herbaceous bulbiferous geophytes, dying back after flowering for an underground storage light. They regrow in the next calendar year from brown-skinned ovoid light bulbs with pronounced necks, and reach heights of 5-80 cm depending on species. Dwarf kinds such as N. asturiensis have a maximum elevation of 5-8 cm, while Narcissus tazetta may increase as extra tall as 80 cm.

The vegetation are scapose, having an individual central leafless hollow bloom stem (scape). Several green or blue-green, thin, strap-shaped leaves occur from the light. The plant stem bears a solitary rose, but once in a while a cluster of flowers (umbel). The flowers, that are usually conspicuous and white or yellow, both or seldom inexperienced sometimes, contain a perianth of three parts. Closest to the stem (proximal) is a floral tube above the ovary, then an exterior ring made up of six tepals (undifferentiated sepals and petals), and a central disk to conical formed corona. The flowers may hang down (pendent), or be erect. There are six pollen bearing stamens bordering a central style. The ovary is inferior (below the floral parts) comprising three chambers (trilocular). The fruits involves a dry out capsule that splits (dehisces) launching numerous black seeds.

The bulb is dormant following the leaves and blossom stem die back and has contractile roots that yank it down further in to the soil. The bloom stem and leaves form in the light bulb, to emerge the next season. Most species are dormant from warmer summer months to overdue winter, flowering in the springtime, though a few types are autumn flowering.

Narcissus Pictures

the spectacular Narcissus Flycatcher”

Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina , Photo © Nial Moores

Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina narcissina , Photo © Mathew

Narcissus Flycatcher by Kazumasa Hattori, via 500px