From a botanical perspective, the name Narcissus refers to the entire genus of plants within the Amaryllidaceae family. This genus encompasses a wide range of species and hybrids, all characterized by their distinctive flower structure: a central cup- or trumpet-shaped corona (which can be long or short) surrounded by a ring of six petal-like tepals. Therefore, scientifically, every plant within this genus is correctly called a Narcissus.
The term "daffodil" is primarily a common English name used to describe certain types of plants within the Narcissus genus. Typically, it is used to refer to the larger-flowered, often yellow cultivars and varieties. For example, the classic, all-yellow trumpet-shaped flower that is most familiar to many people is commonly called a daffodil. In many horticultural contexts, "daffodil" is used interchangeably with Narcissus, though it often carries a connotation of the larger, showier garden varieties.
Conversely, the term "narcissus" is used in two distinct ways. First, it is the formal botanical name for the entire genus. Second, in common horticultural and floral use, "narcissus" is often employed to describe specific types within the genus, usually those with smaller clusters of flowers and shorter cups. A prime example is the Paperwhite (Narcissus papyraceus), a highly fragrant plant with clusters of small, white flowers that is frequently forced to bloom indoors during winter and is almost universally called a "narcissus" and not a "daffodil."
The relationship between the two terms is one of inclusion. In precise terms, all daffodils are Narcissus, but not all Narcissus are called daffodils. The genus Narcissus is divided into numerous divisions by horticulturists, covering thousands of cultivars and species. These divisions include not only the trumpet daffodils but also varieties with split coronas, double flowers, triandrus types with hanging heads, and the delicate jonquils (Narcissus jonquilla), which are noted for their slender, reed-like leaves and strong fragrance. Jonquils are a specific type of Narcissus, and while sometimes casually grouped with daffodils, they are a distinct classification.
Botanically, the plants share the same fundamental structure. The confusion arises solely from the application of common names, which vary by region and tradition. The American Daffodil Society, for instance, states that the names are essentially synonymous, but acknowledges that "daffodil" is the common name for the genus, used more frequently for the larger-trumpeted types. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the international authority for the registration of Narcissus cultivars, uses Narcissus as the genus name for all, further categorizing them into 13 divisions based on flower form and ancestry, which helps to scientifically classify what a gardener might call a daffodil, a jonquil, or a poeticus.
