Narcissus 2010

[Rafa]

There are several bioecological  and morphological differences.

Narcissus albicans, blooms in late December to late January, is very variable species concerning the flower color that it could be almost white, cream, or even sulfure color, but diferent from graellsii's greenish/cyan tone. It prefers open stony places with full sun, and it seems there are more distribution by seeds than by vegetative bulb division. It's an species well distributed through central and south Spain.
Morphologically the bulbs have dark brown tunics, not black. Size 9/14 x 8/10mm and polyphyllum 2 to 4 leaves per bulb. The flowers has a longer tube with a closed angle in the corone, not so open and drastic like in N. cantabricus.

Narcissus x litigiosus is the hybrid with N. triandrus subsp. pallidulus.

Narcissus cantabricus is more central northen plant in Spain and it is neccessary to revised all the localities to know the real distribution of both species. Pollen studies from N. cantabricus collected in Morocco also reveled they were N. albicans.
N. cantabricus has smaller bulbls than N. albicans with black tunics, and it is always monophyllus. Several bulbs could be contained in the same tunic, but each bulb has one leaf. The flower color is invariabily white, homogenean. Also it blooms one moth later than N. albicans in shady places, or many part of the day in full shade.

Narcissus x matritensis is the hybrid between N. cantabricus and N. triandrus subsp. pallidulus.

We think there is no blooming coincicende between both species also due the ecologycal difference, but is necessary more studies.

 

[annew]

This is very useful, Rafa. Thank you.

[Rafa]

Also these are names considered synonims of N. albicans:

N. graellsii var. granatensis
N. nivalis var. granatensis
N. x litigiosus var. granatensis
N. blancoi
N. cantabricus subsp. luteolentus
N. x neocarpetanus nothovar. romanensis
N. x magni-antonii
N. cantabricus x N. tenuifolius
N. x barrae

[Gerry Webster]

Many thanks Rafa - that is fascinating & very useful.

[Ian Y]

Rafa these posts on Narcissus albicans are fascinating and helpful.

Is this work based on morphology or DNA work?

[Rafa]

Ian, there is a cariology study in two localities, DNA count 2n= 2x= 14 diploid.

[Maggi Young]

Ian, there is a cariology study in two localities, DNA count 2n= 2x= 14 diploid.

Sorry, Rafa, I do not understand..... I have never heard this term "cariology" and my dictionary says it is concerned with the study of dental caries! 

[Casalima]

Karyology?? (study of sets of chromosomes)

[Rafa]

oh sorry! thanks to the proffesional ladyTranslator  it is Karyology

[Gerry Webster]

Yes, what Rafa is referring to is an analysis of the karyotype of the species - the number & appearance of the chromosomes.

[Maggi Young]

AHA! thank you, everyone..... I  have a tendency to be something of a  "literalist"  when reading... did not see that wood for the trees!

[Regelian]

I was at Wisley over the holidays and snapped these shots of N. cantabricus in the alpine house.  Unfortunately, my camera went dead right after!

[Ragged Robin]

Thank goodness you captured those beauties at least Jamie 

[annew]

'Knock-'em-dead' beautiful, then!

[annew]

Please can someone explain how some plants, such as Narcissus Cedric Morris, can have fertile pollen but they will not set seed? Is it not the same process producing both the male and female gametes?