Home > Herbs > Narcissus

daffodil

Narcissus · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (16 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Daffodil, scientifically known as Narcissus, is a versatile perennial celebrated for its striking blooms and historical medicinal uses. While primarily ornamental, various species offer bioactive compounds with potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, caution is essential, as many parts contain toxic alkaloids that require expert handling and knowledge.

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Flower
Common names
Daffodil · Garden Daffodil · 3 more
Scientific synonyms
Carregnoa · Cydenis · 31 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Narcissus

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Codiaminum
  • Schisanthes
  • Illus
  • Chloraster
  • Ganymedes
  • Assaracus
  • Corbularia
  • Cydenis
  • Autogenes
  • Patrocles
  • Calathinus
  • Oileus
  • × Narcibularia
  • Jonquilla
  • Moskerion
  • Prasiteles
  • X Narcibularia
  • Argenope
  • Philogyne
  • Narciso
  • Veniera
  • Tapeinanthus
  • Braxireon
  • Plateana
  • Queltia
  • Stephanophorum
  • Narcisos

German:

  • Narzissen
  • Narzisse
  • Narzisse
  • Narzissen

French:

  • narcisse
  • Narcisses et Jonquilles
  • Narcisse

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Asparagales and the family Amaryllidaceae. Ultimately, it is categorized under the genus Narcissus.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Asparagales
Family Amaryllidaceae
Genus Narcissus

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the central part of the continent, the species is also established in Middle Europe. Specifically, it inhabits the landscapes of Austria and Belgium. Finally, its geographical range extends through the regions of Czechia and Slovakia.

Region Area
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Ireland
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany
Middle Europe Hungary
Middle Europe Netherlands
Middle Europe Switzerland
Southwestern Europe Baleares

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Narcissus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Plant parts reported in Narcissus
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Flower 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Flower

  1. Current medicinal chemistry

Chemicals

Narcissus has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include galanthamine, Sanguinine, lycorine, streptonigrin.

Chemicals reported in Narcissus
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
galanthamine 4 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Sanguinine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
lycorine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
streptonigrin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

galanthamine

  1. Current medicinal chemistry
  2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
  3. International journal of molecular sciences
  4. Life sciences

Sanguinine

  1. Life sciences

lycorine

  1. Life sciences

streptonigrin

  1. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.)

Activities

Narcissus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antineoplastic.

Activities reported in Narcissus
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Antineoplastic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Antineoplastic

  1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Narcissus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, cancer.

Conditions investigated for Narcissus
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Alzheimer's disease 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Cancer 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Alzheimer's disease

  1. Current medicinal chemistry
  2. International journal of molecular sciences
  3. Life sciences

Cancer

  1. Journal of natural products