Tulip Trivia - Daffodil Trivia - Hyacinth Trivia

Some facts you might not know about Daffodils ...

Narcissus in Greek legend fell in love with his own reflection in a stream. He stayed transfixed by the stream and the gods thought he would die of starvation so they changed him into the flower to stay there forever.

Narcissus comes from the Greek for "numbness" referring to the narcotic properties of the plant. Roman soldiers carried Daffodil bulbs into battle with them so if they were mortally wounded they could eat the bulb ensuring a quick and painless death.

Narcissi are mainly cultivated in the Channel Isles, the Isles of Scilly, Great Britain and Holland. The Daffodil is the emblem of Wales and is worn on St David's Day. A single Daffodil is considered a symbol of bad luck in Wales and Devon. When visiting always bring a pot or bouquet of Daffodils.

Poultry keepers thought the flower unlucky and would not allow it in the home as they believed it would stop their hens laying eggs or the eggs hatching.

Prince Charles is paid one daffodil annually as rent for the unattended lands of Scilly. The local Environmental Trust is reponsible for the payment. Bloms Bulbs are about to offer him three Tulips to enable us to grow our Chelsea Tulips there.

The Daffodil is used by Marie Curie Cancer Care to raise money on National Daffodil Day. They believe it symbolises new hope and life.

[Photo: Dwarf Narcissi: canaliculatus - 0574]

Daffodils are being grown for Galanthine, a substance in the bulbs being used to fight Alzheimer's.

They are good flowers for Gemini's, who like the daffodil's yellow cheerfulness; and Pisces who appreciate the white narcissi's scented delicacy.

Feng Shui adherents believe the flower brings good luck for the next twelve months if forced to bloom at New Year.

Medieval Arabs used the juice of the wild daffodil, Narcissi pseudonarcissus, as a cure for baldness?