Narcissus papyraceus

Ker Gawler

Bot. Mag. 24: plate 947. 1806.

Common names: Paper-white narcissus
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 296. Mentioned on page 294.

Bulbs ovoid, 4–6 × 3–5 cm, tunic dark brown. Leaves 4; blade flat, keeled, 20–35(–45) cm × 6–15(–20) mm, glaucous. Inflorescences umbellate, 5–15(–20)-flowered, 25–35 cm; spathe pale brown, 4–6 cm, papery. Flowers strongly fragrant; perianth 3–5 cm wide; perianth tube 1.5–2 cm, gradually tapering to base; distinct portions of tepals spreading to reflexed, white, narrowly ovate to oblanceolate, 1–2.5 × 0.8–1 cm, apex acute; corona white, cup-shaped, 2–4 × 5–8 mm, apex crenulate to ruffled; 3 short stamens included in perianth tube, 3 longer stamens and style exserted into mouth of corona; pedicel of variable length, to 6 cm. 2n = 22.


Phenology: Flowering winter–spring.
Habitat: Roadsides, waste places
Elevation: 0–100 m

Distribution

Introduced; Calif., La., w Europe (se France, sw Spain, Portugal), Mediterranean region, n Africa, expected naturalized elsewhere.

Discussion

Although Narcissus papyraceus and N. tazetta are distinct and easily distinguished as fresh specimens, they are very difficult to separate in herbarium material. Many early authors considered the two synonymous, making literature references to N. tazetta unreliable.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Narcissus papyraceus"
Gerald B. Straley† +  and Frederick H. Utech +
Ker Gawler +
Paper-white narcissus +
Calif. +, La. +, w Europe (se France +, sw Spain +, Portugal) +, Mediterranean region +, n Africa +  and expected naturalized elsewhere. +
0–100 m +
Roadsides, waste places +
Flowering winter–spring. +
Narcissus papyraceus +
Narcissus +
species +