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NarcissusπΌ
Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis
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A bulbous plant native to the Mediterranean coast, believed to have been introduced to Japan around the Muromachi period. Also called Japanese narcissus, it features a beautiful contrast between white outer tepals and a yellow corona (cup). Famous colony sites include the Echizen coast in Fukui, Awaji Island in Hyogo, and Nokogiriyama in Chiba. It blooms with elegant white flowers from winter to early spring and is used in New Year's flower arrangements.
Identification Points
- βFlowers with 6 white tepals and a short yellow to white corona (cup) bloom in winter
- βLeaves are flat, linear, grayish-green, and erect
- βWhite bulb underground
- βFlowers have a sweet fragrance
- βPoisonous plant (contains the alkaloid lycorine)
Habitat
Coastal areas, cliffs, gardens, and flower beds; partial shade to full sun
Season
DecemberβMarch (flowering)
3D Specimen Model
Kyushu University, Shikano Lab (CC0)
View on SketchfabβMorphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Parallel
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf shape
Linear
Growth form
Herb
Petal count
3 petals
Petal fusion
Free
Flowering season
Winter
Habitat
Cultivated
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Aromatic
None
Phylogenetic Positionγγ¬γ³γγη§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Monocots > Asparagales > Amaryllidaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene
Evolution Notes
Amaryllidaceae was separated from Liliaceae under the APG classification. The corona is an evolutionary trait unique to Narcissus, believed to have developed to guide pollinators (insects).
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification