Who among us has never noticed, at the bend in a path, during an unexpected spring walk or a summer hike, a small flower 4 to 5 cm in diameter, with a frail and fragile silhouette, with white petals surrounding a bright yellow crown with red tips?
Without knowing it, you have surely missed a narcissus known as the poet's narcissus (Narcissus poeticus recurvus). Although little known, this plant is nevertheless a central player in our ecosystem and contributes to the overall beauty of nature.
Of the daffodils wild plants flourish on the estate of La Reine Capricieuse located in the heart of the Vosges Natural Park. There, daffodils live in harmony with black bees, fruit trees and surrounding plants such as daffodils, ferns and rose bushes. Here are some of its secrets.
The etymology and legend of the narcissus
If its name rings a bell, it's because it owes its origin to a well-known legend from Greek mythology. Coming from the Greek "narké" ("which puts to sleep", "sleep"), the plant takes its name from the young Narcissus, from whose blood she was born. According to legend, the young man, too sure of his own beauty, contemptuously rejected the love of the nymph Echo. As punishment, the Gods condemned him to fall in love with her image. Bending over a fountain in a garden to drink, the sight of his reflection in the water loses him in the contemplation of his own image. Forgetting even his biological needs, such as eating and drinking, Narcissus dozes, falls into the water and drowns. From his blood, the poet's narcissus was born. Hence the often negative symbolism associated with it: offering a bouquet of narcissi to someone is tantamount to reproaching them for their self-esteem, selfishness and condescension.
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Also known as the white jeannette or Our Lady's glove, the narcissus Poets' Narcissus (Narcissus poeticus recurvus) is a bulbous perennial plant in the Amaryllidaceae family. Its hollow stems are joined by bushy foliage, composed of elongated leaves that rise from the base of the plant. The resulting clump can reach up to 60 centimeters in height. It produces a single flower per stem. Its flowers have six petals. In the center, there is a small yellow tube-shaped crown called a paracorolla, itself bordered in red. Its fruit is a trilobed capsule containing numerous seeds.
Narcissus species
THE narcissus poets forms a group of bulbs within the Amaryllidaceae family. There are now about seventy species or subspecies of daffodils (Narcissus). They can be classified, based on the characteristics of their flowers, into 11 different horticultural classes. Among them are the classic daffodils under the name trumpet daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus). Alongside this type of narcissus, the most widespread in Europe, there are lesser-known varieties, including the large-cupped (or crown) daffodils, the small-crowned daffodils and the double-flowered daffodils. Some roses are also part of this same family: the "Beau Narcissus" is one of the varieties of rose bushes, producing purple-coloured flowers, very fragrant and growing on plants and shrubs that can reach 120 to 140 centimetres.
The distribution and habitat of the narcissus
This botanical species is native to Western Europe. It is found mainly in Central and Southern Europe, notably in France and Switzerland where it grows spontaneously, and sometimes locally abundantly. It grows mainly in humid environments such as meadows (mesohydric) and woodland edges. The climate and altitude of mid-mountains suit it perfectly since the narcissus poets can grow on meadows located up to 2300 meters above sea level. Thus the Vosges area where he settled La Reine Capricieuse are home to many landmarks where you can find an abundance of poet's daffodils. Our black bees are perfectly at home with this particular flora, and use it in the development of their precious products.
Other plant species are relatively close to it: this is the case of the papery narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus or Narcissus niveus), which is associated with the same living environment as the Narcissus poeticus. However, the main difference that separates them concerns the altitude. This second type of plant grows between 0 and 50 meters above sea level and for this reason, is mainly found in the fields and meadows of the South, the Landes and the Mediterranean region.
The flowering of the poet's narcissus
These perennials have a rather late flowering for spring bulbs. One flower per stem emerges between April and June each year depending on the region, but it is difficult to determine an exact date. During flowering, the bright white flowers of Narcissus poeticus attract foraging bees thanks to the nectar they produce.
Growing the poet's narcissus to treat and moisturize your skin
Easy to grow and requiring little maintenance, it is often grown for ornamental purposes, in pots on balconies, terraces or directly on the ground, on the edges of gardens. The advice of experienced growers all converge on the importance of planting bulbs during the autumn period of the year, between September and December, in pots or directly in the ground. It should be noted that the earlier the bulbs are planted, the better the rooting will be and the more beautiful the flowering will be in spring. With certified organic seeds, the quality will be even better. In the same way, quality soil and well-dug, rich and diversified garden soil and preferably organic allows for an even more optimal result. Among the advice of experts, there is also that of choosing a plot of garden soil located in a sunny or slightly shaded place.
The status of the narcissus: a protected plant, but not everywhere
It varies depending on the geographical location. Protected in Champagne-Ardenne, Burgundy, and the Centre region, it is not systematically protected in other regions of France. However, it may be subject to permanent or temporary prefectural regulations in certain departments. Thus, although it is not counted among the protected plants in the Vosges, La Reine Capricieuse is committed to preserving the exceptional flora of this mid-mountain department, including the narcissus poets constitute a central element.
Narcissus Uses, Dangers, and Health Benefits
It is properly what is called in Greek a pharmakos, a term which can mean "remedy", "drug", as well as "poison" or "venom". In other words, the narcissus poets can make people sick as well as heal them.
Indeed, taken as a whole, it is a toxic plant. Its bulbs contain emetic substances, meaning they induce vomiting. It can be dangerous because some of its active ingredients cause a slowing of the heart rate. Similarly, some people's blood pressure drops drastically when they ingest it. In addition, its calcium oxalate content, a powerful allergen, can cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals. narcissus Contains two alkaloids, narcissin and lycorine, which can cause itching. The oxalate grains in the outer parts of the plants can also irritate the skin. Pliny the Elder described it as a plant that dulled the mind to the point of madness.
However, its medicinal effectiveness has been documented since ancient times. Its beneficial effects actually come from its flowers, which have antispasmodic, anticonvulsant and sedative properties, recommended for effectively treating asthma, whooping cough and diarrhea. Once its foliage is dry, the narcissus is also an effective ally in fighting fever. Its therapeutic virtues even extend to use in homeopathy. In this form, the plant is a remedy for bronchitis and convulsive coughs.
Renowned for its sweet and captivating scent, the narcissus Poets' flower is often used in the perfume industry. This use requires a specific harvesting technique: it must be harvested using specific rakes on the plateaus of the Vosges, Jura, or Massif Central before being sent to processing plants. Here, the flower will become a raw material, ready to be shipped to perfumeries, where it will be the basis of multiple fragrances.
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