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Polyanthos Narcissus Narcissus tazetta

Phonetic Spelling
nar-SIS-us taz-ET-tuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Paper White Narcissus is a perennial bulbous herb that grows up to 11⁄2'. This plant blooms in early to mid-spring. It is good for naturalizing and has a spreading habit. It 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 free due to its poisonous alkaloid content.

Quick ID Hints:

  • 3-20 flowers per stem, leaves are flat
  • Perianth segments are spreading, not reflexed, and white
  • Flowers are fragrant
  • Corona is yellow

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.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#disease resistant#pest resistant#deer resistant#spring interest#fantz#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#disease resistant#pest resistant#deer resistant#spring interest#fantz#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Narcissus
    Species:
    tazetta
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mediterranean, Afghanistan, China, Japan
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Resistant to pest and disease.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are scapose, horizontal to ascending, fragrant, 1.5" in diameter, and subtended by a one-valved, membranous spathe. Flowers have a perianth tubular at the base with 6 segments. Perianth segments are white, broad ovate, entire, and incurving. The corona is yellow, conspicuous, cup-shaped, and less than an inch long and wide.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are basal, strap-like, entire, erect, twisted, keeled and glaucous, and less than an inch wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought
    Heat
    Insect Pests
    Rabbits
    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