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Common Name: Bunchflower Daffodil

General Information

Narcissus tazetta is a perennial plant growing from a bulb around 30 - 50mm in diameter; it can grow around 30 - 50cm
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe to E. Asia.

Habitat

Fields, meadows and garigue, especially in damp places, in the Mediterranean[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.50 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. Prefers an alkaline soil with a pH between 7 and 8[]. Best grown in a warm sunny corner with shelter from cold winds[].
The dormant bulbs will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c[].
A polymorphic species[].
Cultivated for its essential oil[]. The flowers are very powerfully scented[].
The sub-species N. tazetta chinensis. Roemer. is used in Japanese medicine[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Demulcent[, ]. Used in the treatment of boils and mastitis[].

The root is emetic[]. It is used to relieve headaches[]. The chopped root is applied externally as an antiphlogistic and analgesic poultice to abscesses, boils and other skin complaints[].

The plant has a folklore of effectiveness against certain forms of cancer. This might be due to benzaldehyde changing to laetrile-like compounds or to lycorine changing to lycobetaine-like compounds in the body[].

Other Uses

An essential oil obtained from the flowers is used in perfumery[].

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.