2. Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. (daffodil)

Pl. 106 d; Map 430

Aerial stems 20–50 cm long, somewhat flattened. Inflorescence usually with 1 flower. Perianth 35–80 mm long, yellow. Corona about as long as or slightly longer than the perianth lobes, tubular to slightly spreading at the usually crinkled tip, yellow. 2n=14–35 (mostly 2n=14, 28). February–April.

Introduced, widely scattered, mostly in eastern and southern Missouri (native of Europe, widely cultivated, and escaped sporadically in the U.S.). Roadsides, old homesites, and disturbed areas.

This is the most commonly cultivated species of Narcissus in the state. The large, attractive flowers have a strong fragrance. The cultivated plants are quite variable morphologically, and reflect not only many years of the breeding of cultivars, but also the fact that this taxon forms a polyploid complex. Several subspecies and segregate species have been named based upon European plants, and it is beyond the scope of the present treatment to deal with this level of variation among the sporadic escapes in the state.

The hybrid between this species and N. poeticus is known as N. ¥incomparabilis Mill., the primrose peerless narcissus, and also is commonly cultivated. It is distinguished from N. pseudonarcissus by the corona, which is only about half as long as the perianth lobes. It has been collected in St. Louis County, and is to be expected elsewhere. Rebman (1989) reported a population of another yellow-flowered species, N. jonquilla L., the jonquil, from Barry County. However, no specimens to document this find were located during the preparation of the present treatment. This species differs from other Missouri daffodils in its thickened leaves that are oval in cross-section and channeled on the upper surface. It also has a very short, yellow corona. It is expected to be found uncommonly in southern Missouri.