The genus Narcissus belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and encompasses a wide variety of perennial bulbous plants commonly known as daffodils. Botanically, the genus is classified primarily based on morphological characteristics of the flowers, particularly the corona (the trumpet or cup) and the perianth (the surrounding petals). The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) acts as the international authority for the registration of cultivars and classifies them into 13 divisions. However, from a botanical and horticultural perspective, we can discuss the main types by focusing on species, hybrids, and their defining horticultural divisions.
Several wild species form the genetic foundation for thousands of modern cultivars. Narcissus pseudonarcissus, the Lent Lily or Wild Daffodil, is a key species featuring a solitary yellow flower with a long, trumpet-shaped corona. Narcissus poeticus, the Poet's Narcissus, is known for its pure white perianth and small, red-rimmed, yellow corona. Another important species is Narcissus jonquilla, the Jonquil, which is characterized by its slender, rush-like foliage and small, fragrant flowers with a flat cup, typically appearing in clusters. Narcissus tazetta, the Bunch-flowered Narcissus, produces stems bearing multiple fragrant flowers, a trait passed on to popular paperwhite varieties.
The RHS classification system groups narcissus into divisions that are crucial for identification and horticulture. Division 1, Trumpet Daffodils, features cultivars where the corona is as long as or longer than the perianth segments. Division 2, Large-Cupped Daffodils, includes flowers where the corona is more than one-third but less than equal to the length of the perianth segments. Division 3, Small-Cupped Daffodils, comprises daffodils with a corona not more than one-third the length of the perianth segments.
Other divisions highlight unique structural forms. Division 4, Double Daffodils, contains cultivars with a doubled corona, perianth, or both. Division 5, Triandrus Daffodils, showcases characteristics derived from N. triandrus, such as nodding flowers with reflexed perianths, often multiple per stem. Division 6, Cyclamineus Daffodils, exhibit the strongly reflexed perianth and a long, slender corona of their N. cyclamineus parent, giving them a distinctive swept-back appearance. Division 7, Jonquilla Daffodils, are derived from N. jonquilla and typically have one to five fragrant flowers per stem, with a spreading perianth and a small cup.
The remaining divisions cater to more specific types. Division 8, Tazetta Daffodils, produce clusters of fragrant flowers with a short cup. Division 9, Poeticus Daffodils, are characterized by a pure white perianth and a small, flat, red-rimmed corona. Division 10, Bulbocodium Daffodils, feature the "hoop-petticoat" form, with a very large funnel-shaped corona and insignificant perianth segments. Divisions 11 and 12 cover split-corona types, where the corona is split for more than half its length, creating a collared or papillon (butterfly) effect. Finally, Division 13 encompasses all wild species and wild forms, preserving the botanical origin of the genus.
