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Datasheet Publication:
Oct-2007 (last update: none)
Citation for this page
Mifsud, S. (2007). Online Flora of the Maltese Islands (2002-2026): Narcissus tazetta subsp. tazetta - datasheet published on Oct-2007. Retrieved on 06-Aug-2026 from https://www.MaltaWildPlants.com/AMRY/#AMRY
Nomenclature and General Information
Species name :
Narcissus tazetta subsp. tazettaL.
Published in Sp. Pl. 290 (1753)
Amaryllidaceae Jaume St.-Hil (The Daffodil or Amaryllis Family) 28 species from the Amaryllidaceae family are recorded from the Maltese Islands.
English name(s) :
French Daffodil, Cream Narcissus, Polyanthus Narcissus
Maltese name(s) :
Narċis, Ranċis
Status for Malta :
Indigenous. Present on the Maltese islands before man
Frequency :
Very Common Common Frequent Scarce Rare Very rare Extinct
Growth form :
Germination type [info]: Monocotyledon
Raunkiaer lifeform [info]: Geophyte ( perennials bearing underground bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, stolons, etc. )
Legal Protection :
Protected by law: Schedule VIII of [S.L. 549.44] (Exploitation subject to management measures)
Red List (1989) :
Not listed in the Red Data Book of the Maltese Islands
Flowering Time :
October – March
Colour of Flowers:
White
Toxicity:
Mildy toxic, can cause adverse conditions if consumed in large quantities
Name Derivation :
Narcissus: Literally means to numb, stun or paralyze, for the narcotic properties of several plants in this genus. In Greek mythology Narcissus was a handsome young man who rejected everyone who loved him. The goddess Nemesis punished him by making him fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. He couldn’t stop looking at himself and eventually fell in the pool and died, leaving behind a flower named after him. (Greek origin) - Read more.
tazetta subsp. tazetta: A small teacup for the open cylindrical strucure at the centre of the flower referred to as the `corona` or crown (Latin origin).
Planting in rural areas :
Can be planted in rural areas according to ERA Guidelines
Description, Habitat and Distribution
Botanical Description
Bulb up to 50 x 35 mm. Leaves 20-50 cm x 5-25 mm. Scape 20-45 cm, stout. Flowers in umbels of (2-)3-15, fragrant. Spathe 30-50 mm, scarious. Pedicels unequal, the longest 25-75 mm. Hypanthial tube 12-18 mm. Perianth-segments 8-22 mm, patent, usually broadly ovate and contiguous or imbricate, more rarely narrower. Corona 3-6 x 6-11 mm, about twice as wide as high, yellow or orange. Upper whorl of stamens exserted from hypanthial tube, at least in part, but included in corona.
Habitat in Europe
Meadows, pastures and cultivated fields.
Preferred habitat in Malta
Garigue (especially if with considerable amount of soil) uncultivated fields and valleys.
Occurrences in Europe (from Flora Europaea till 1993)
Albania, the Balaeric Islands, Corse, Crete, France (incl. Monaco and Channel Islands but excluding Corse), Greece, Spain (incl. Andorra but excl. the Balaerics), Italy (mainland, excl. Sicily and Sardinia), ex-Jugoslavia, Portugal, Sardinia, Sicily and/or Malta
Occurrences in Europe (from Euro+Med Checklist till 2024) Country codes
AE(G) Ag Al Bl Ca Co Cr Cy Eg Ga Gr Hs IJ It Ju Li LS Lu Ma Sa Si Sn Tn Tu(A) [Tcs Tu(E)]
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