Narcissus March 2008

[Paul T]

Isn't moschatus a subspecies of pseudonarcissus?  That would mean by definition that it couldn't be a single clone.  What I have under that name was given to me as seedlings (along with seedlings of ssp obvillaris) rather than as adult plants or divisions.

[Paul T]

I thought I should post a couple of pics of what was given to me as moschatus.  These were apparently grown from seed by the person, who has since moved to Sydney and I have no contact details.

The second picture is taken with a flash, which is why it is so different.  I thought it showed some clearer details though, which is why I include it.

[Lesley Cox]

That is lovely David. I was able to get a bulb from Marcus Harvey in Tasmania, last year and after it flowered it set a seed pod so I hope to have several ore quite quickly. I think it's spelled without the r

I understand that moschatus is a sterile clone and therefore cannot set seed.It has no known wild populations and has not been re-collected.

So what have I got then? It looks exactly like all the illustrations of moschatus and Marcus is very reliable with his naming. Mine is a little more pendant than those of Paul, above and the outer petals are a little closer to the corona.

[Lvandelft]

Isn't moschatus a subspecies of pseudonarcissus?  That would mean by definition that it couldn't be a single clone.  What I have under that name was given to me as seedlings (along with seedlings of ssp obvillaris) rather than as adult plants or divisions.

Paul, I saw yesterday your Narcissus which was called N. cernuus which is (I hope) synonym with
N. pseudonarcissus ssp. moschatus.
The one with more pendant flowers called N. moschatus is synonym with N. pseudonarcissus ssp. alpestris.
I think my picture looks like your pictures and is different from what I showed in (Febr.) Lisse Flowershow.

[Tony Willis]

I thought should I write that post about moschatus it will only stir things up and then thought oh what the h..l!

Davids picture is clearly of a plant similar to that shown in Blanchards book although a different colour his picture is yellowish. But is different to that shown by Paul which is different to that shown by Luit. Yesterday I saw a large pot of 'moschatus' from a commercial source which looked like Davids. Some botanists have classified alpestris as the same species but it is half the height of moschatus and totaly different in its flower shape. I have alpestris from Mike Salmon for 10 years which is between the two in form and stature.

What is clear is that they are all a white(ish) trumpet daffodils and a joy to the splitters.

[Lvandelft]

Tony here is a picture of Narc. moschatus, wich for me is clearly the same as David's plant (pendant)
and so different to Paul's plant.
This picture was made in January (see postings under Lisse Midwinterflora)
I cannot see much different in the Narc. cernuus I sent this morning and Paul's picture(s)(not pendant)
The only difficulty exists by taking pictures at different lights and grown outside or inside.
I made mine of N. cernuus after a period of hail and snow and much wind.

[Gerdk]

and this is Narcissus alpestris - much smaller and tender.
Unfortunately dearly loved by narcissus flies.

Gerd

[Gerdk]

Here is a strange N. triandrus -  forma helicopterus 

Gerd

[art600]

Gerd

Was it grown from your own seed?  It has an ethereal quality that I like.

It is difficult to buy seed or bulbs of N. triandrus, so if you have a source, I would like to know the details please.

[Gerdk]

Gerd
Was it grown from your own seed?  It has an ethereal quality that I like.
It is difficult to buy seed or bulbs of N. triandrus, so if you have a source, I would like to know the details please.

Arthur,
I got some N. triandrus of wild origin (N. Spain) a long time ago - they looked different. Also I raised some plants from seeds of these.
Because I am very disorderly (sometimes) I am not able to tell you the
origin of the depicted plant.
Concerning seeds etc. I'll p.m. you.

Gerd

[Lvandelft]

and this is Narcissus alpestris - much smaller and tender.
Unfortunately dearly loved by narcissus flies.Gerd

Gerd is this the one Blanchard mentions in his book, being only -20 cm. and difficult to
keep in culture?

[mark smyth]

moschatus, alpestris and 'Colleen Bawn' all look the same to me. The first two are out now in my garden but 'Colleen' is still in bud

[Tony Willis]

Luit

I agree yours looks like moschatus as described and it is very like alpestris.Here is a picture of alpestris in the wild.It is only 20cm tall therefore half the height of the moschatust but is certainly not tender.This picture is at Castllel jon de sos growing in a damp meadow and is covered by snow in winter . The form at Cerler only a few miles away but which has been described as different is at a ski resort which shows how cold it gets .I attach a picture of the habitat.It is growing in thousands above the trees.

[mark smyth]

My 'Colleen Bawn' have their noses pointing straight down

[Gerdk]

and this is Narcissus alpestris - much smaller and tender.
Unfortunately dearly loved by narcissus flies.Gerd

Gerd is this the one Blanchard mentions in his book, being only -20 cm. and difficult to
keep in culture?

Luit,
Yes, it is.

Tony,
I mean tender concerning that it does not grow as well in my garden as N. moschatus does - not in relation to cold hardyness.

Gerd