Narcissus papyraceus
Bot. Mag. 24: plate 947. 1806.
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, cupshaped, 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), w Europe (sw Spain), w Europe (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
"thicker" is not a number.