From a botanical perspective, the term "daffodil" commonly refers to plants within the genus Narcissus. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the international authority for the registration of daffodil cultivars, has established a classification system that divides the thousands of varieties into 13 distinct divisions. This system is based primarily on the morphological characteristics of the flower, particularly the structure and proportion of the corona (the trumpet or cup) relative to the perianth (the outer petal-like segments). Understanding these divisions provides a clear framework for identifying the different types of daffodils.
The first four divisions are defined by the wild species and their hybrids, focusing on the fundamental architecture of the flower.
Division 1: Trumpet Daffodils feature a single flower per stem where the corona (trumpet) is as long as, or longer than, the perianth segments. This is the classic daffodil shape, exemplified by varieties like 'Dutch Master'.
Division 2: Large-Cupped Daffodils also bear one flower per stem, but the corona is more than one-third but less than equal to the length of the perianth segments. This is an extremely popular and diverse group, including varieties with brightly colored cups like 'Salome'.
Division 3: Small-Cupped Daffodils have a single flower per stem with a corona that is no more than one-third the length of the perianth segments. These often have elegant, refined proportions, such as the variety 'Barrett Browning'.
Division 4: Double Daffodils are characterized by a double set of perianth segments, a double corona, or both. They have one or more flowers per stem and lack the classic cup-and-saucer form, appearing more like carnations or peonies, as seen in 'Tahiti'.
These divisions group daffodils that deviate from the standard single-flowered form or possess unique physical traits.
Division 5: Triandrus Daffodils are derived from Narcissus triandrus and typically feature two or more pendent, bell-shaped flowers per stem with reflexed (swept-back) perianths. An example is 'Thalia'.
Division 6: Cyclamineus Daffodils show strong influence from Narcissus cyclamineus. They have one flower per stem with a significantly reflexed perianth and a long, narrow trumpet, making the flower appear as if it is being pushed forward by a strong wind. 'Jetfire' is a well-known cultivar.
Division 7: Jonquilla Daffodils are primarily derived from Narcissus jonquilla. They typically bear one to five small, fragrant flowers per stem with a spreading perianth and a small, cup-shaped corona. They often have dark green, cylindrical leaves.
Division 8: Tazetta Daffodils have a genetic background from Narcissus tazetta. They produce a cluster (umbel) of three to twenty fragrant flowers on a single stout stem. This group includes the popular Paperwhite narcissi, which are often forced indoors.
The final divisions encompass wild species, their miniature hybrids, and cultivars with truly unique characteristics.
Division 9: Poeticus Daffodils are derived from Narcissus poeticus. They have a pure white perianth and a very small, flat, red-rimmed corona. They are known for their strong fragrance and are often late-blooming.
Division 10: Bulbocodium Hybrids are dominated by the influence of the Narcissus bulbocodium species. They are distinctive for their extremely large, funnel-shaped corona and very small, insignificant perianth segments.
Division 11: Split-Corona Daffodils are defined by a corona that is split for more than half its length. This creates two distinct looks: the "Collar" type, where the split segments lie opposite the perianth, and the "Papillon" (butterfly) type, where the segments are arranged alternately to the perianth.
Division 12: Miscellaneous Daffodils includes all other daffodils not falling into the previous divisions, including inter-division hybrids that do not clearly fit elsewhere.
Division 13: Species, Wild Variants, and Wild Hybrids is reserved for the true botanical species, their wild forms, and naturally occurring hybrids, representing the original genetic diversity from which all cultivated daffodils have been developed.
