Narcissus jonquilla
Sp. Pl. 1: 290. 1753.
Bulbs ovoid, 2–3 × 2–2.5 cm, tunic dark-brown. Leaves 2–3 (–4); blade dark green, channeled adaxially, nearly terete, 30–40 cm × 2–4 mm. Inflorescences umbellate, 1–2 (–4) -flowered, 25–35 cm; spathe pale-brown, 2–4 cm, papery. Flowers strongly fragrant; perianth 1.5–2.5 cm wide; perianth-tube 2–2.5 cm, tapering gradually to base; distinct portions of tepals spreading to reflexed, bright golden yellow, ovate to oblanceolate, 0.4–0.6 × 0.8–1 cm, apex acute to mucronate; corona golden yellow, cupshaped, 2–4 × 5–8 mm, apex ruffled; 3 short stamens included in perianth-tube, 3 longer stamens and style exserted into mouth of corona; pedicel of variable length, to 4 cm. 2n = 14.
Phenology: Flowering late winter–early spring.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, waste places
Elevation: 0–100 m
Distribution
Introduced; B.C., Ala., Ark., Ga., Ill., La., Md., Miss., N.C., Ohio, S.C., Tex., Utah, expected naturalized elsewhere
Discussion
Natural hybrids between Narcissus jonquilla and N. tazetta have been given the name N. ×intermedius Louisel. The leaves of these plants are intermediate in width between those of the two parents. The inflorescence is 3–6-flowered, and the flowers are uniformly bright yellow or with a darker corona. Such hybrids are known to persist in Louisiana and can be expected elsewhere in the flora area.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
"thicker" is not a number.