Plant DetailShow Menu

Miniature Daffodil Narcissus cyclamineus

Previously known as:

  • Ajax cyclamineus
Phonetic Spelling
nar-SIS-us SIGH-kluh-min-ee-us
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Cyclamen Daffodil is a perennial bulbous herb that grows up to 10". These miniature daffodils are bulbs that should be planted in the fall to enjoy the sunny yellow color in early spring. The single, yellow flower has very strong reflexed petals and a long, slender corona, which are key distinguishing features.  Mass plant in beds or border fronts, in rock gardens, at the base of trees, in lawns, or in containers. They naturalize easily, is spreading, and multiply over time. They are resistant to damage by deer and rabbits. This plant is tolerant of heat and drought. It is intolerant of extremely wet conditions. This plant benefits from the addition of bone meal or superphosphate to the planting hole. Plant 6 weeks before the first freeze, 4-5" below the soil surface. Cut foliage back after it has browned naturally. This plant is pest and disease resistant due to its poisonous alkaloid content.

Quick ID Hints:

  • 1 flower per stem, slightly nodding, short-necked, yellow
  • Perianth segments are significantly reflexed
  • Corona is a long, narrow tube

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for slugs, snails and bulb mites. Bulb rot can occur in wet soils.

  

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Narcissus.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Cotinga
    Ivory white flowers
  • 'February Gold'
    First to bloom yellow flowers
  • 'Jack Smipe'
    Long-lived, creamy white with yellow trumpets
'Cotinga, 'February Gold', 'Jack Smipe'
Tags:
#small spaces#yellow flowers#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#naturalizes#rock garden#border planting#bedding plants#fantz#flowers early spring#border front#understory planting#spring flowering bulbs#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#lawn planting#container plant#flowers midspring
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Cotinga
    Ivory white flowers
  • 'February Gold'
    First to bloom yellow flowers
  • 'Jack Smipe'
    Long-lived, creamy white with yellow trumpets
'Cotinga, 'February Gold', 'Jack Smipe'
Tags:
#small spaces#yellow flowers#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#naturalizes#rock garden#border planting#bedding plants#fantz#flowers early spring#border front#understory planting#spring flowering bulbs#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#lawn planting#container plant#flowers midspring
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Narcissus
    Species:
    cyclamineus
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Spain, Portugal
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Resistant to pest and disease problems
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are scapose, dropping to pendent, 2-3" in diameter, and are subtended by a one-valved membranous spathe. Flowers have a perianth tubular base with 6 segments. The perianth segments are yellow, sharply reflexed, elliptic, and entire. The corona is yellow, conspicuous, in the form of a long and slender tube, 12-lobed fimbriate, and slightly constricted just below the flared margin. Flowers bloom in early spring.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are basal, strap-like, entire, erect, bright green, and less than an inch wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Drought
    Heat
    Insect Pests
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias. Bulbs are the most poisonous part
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Lycorine and other alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No