They were named for the legendary Greek youth Narcissus. Narcissuses are native to Europe and Asia, but many are cultivated in North America. People like them because they have fragrant and delicately fashioned blossoms of yellow, white, or sometimes pink or orange. The narcissus is a special flower of December. In Europe, in the springtime, fragrant masses of wild narcissuses cover the Alpine meadows.
Narcissus bulbs are poisonous.
There are various types of narcissuses. All of them send up shoots with sword-shaped leaves. Many botanists consider daffodils to be long-trumpet narcissuses. Jonquils are short-trumpet narcissuses. Gardeners usually plant narcissus bulbs in the fall.