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Common Name: Poet's Narcissus

General Information

Narcissus poeticus is a perennial plant growing from a bulb around 40mm in diameter; it can grow around 20 - 30cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. The plant is a valuable source of essential oil[].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant, and especially the bulb, are poisonous[]. The aroma of the flowers can cause some people to get a headache when they are in a closed room[].

Botanical References

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Range

Europe - France to Greece.

Habitat

Damp meadows[] in mountains[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a deep rather stiff soil but succeeds in most soils and situations[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Easily grown in a moist soil, doing well in grass[] but it is slow to establish[].
The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c[].
A very ornamental plant[], but it is sometimes shy to flower[]. The flowers are powerfully scented[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bulb is powerfully emetic and irritant[].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the bulb[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers. 500kg of the flowers yields 1kg concrete, 300gr absolute of the essential oil[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. A short stratification will improve the germination of stored seed. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be left undisturbed in the pot for their first two years of growth. Give them an occasional liquid feed in the growing season to ensure they do not become nutrient deficient. When the plants become dormant in the summer, pot up the small bulbs placing 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for another one or two years in the greenhouse before planting them out when they are dormant in late summer.
Division of bulbs after the leaves die down in early summer[]. Larger bulbs can be replanted immediately into their permanent positions, or can be stored in a cool place and then be planted out in the autumn. It is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year before planting them out when dormant in the autumn.