A patch of narcissi, often known as daffodils, might be among the brightest and most uplifting views in a spring garden.
They are famously associated with the Greek myth of a handsome young man falling in love with his reflection in the lake.
Yet, few are aware that the flower is also related to a Greek word for intoxicated, narke, the origin of the word narcotic.
Hence, you shouldn’t approach these beautiful flowers too closely, as their beauty can also be deadly.
So, why exactly is Narcissus so dangerous?
Like all of the Amaryllis family, Narcissus contains alkaloids, deadly alkaline chemicals commonly found in nitrogen-fixing plants.
Specifically, lycorine is the alkaloid that causes the most problems, found in all parts of the plant.
Yet, the bulbs pose the most risk due to their exceptionally high lycorine content.
As a bonus, some species like Narcissus pseudonarcissus, their bulbs are packed with tiny calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the skin.
They’re not so friendly to humans and animals
It is unsafe for any living thing to consume any part of this plant.
Though seemingly harmless, the fatal toxic substance found in the Narcissus pseudonarcissus has been responsible for the deaths of many animals and even humans.
Since we discovered that narcissus is poisonous, we’ve avoided them at all costs.
But it’s very easy to mistake narcissus parts for other harmless herbs and veggies.
If you’re not careful, you could end up with narcissus leaves in your dumplings or stir fry instead of Chinese chives. And since narcissus bulbs can be easily mistaken for onions, those who aren’t attentive can unwittingly ingest the poisonous plant.
The unintentional ingestion of Narcissus bulbs has been linked to numerous incidences of death and illness.
Small animals like cats and dogs may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea after being exposed to even a tiny amount of daffodil toxin.
High doses are toxic and can result in seizures, tremors, low blood pressure, and irregular heartbeats. Daffodil bulbs can be deadly to cattle if they are accidentally fed to the animals.
Compared to animals, we humans have milder reactions to narcissus poisoning. Narcissus consumption may cause dizziness, stomach aches/upset, and, in rare cases, convulsions.
Most daffodil poisoning patients recover within a day or two after getting the toxin out of their systems.
Moreover, daffodils can also cause skin irritation, commonly known as “daffodil itch.”
While handling any Narcissus plant, not just the Narcissus pseudonarcissus, it’s important to take caution and wear gloves to protect yourself from the risk of skin irritation or poisoning.
But can they be friends with other plants?
They can be competitive with other flowers when displayed in a bouquet. The sap of narcissus can be toxic to other cut flowers.
That’s why you shouldn’t mix Narcissus with other flowers in a vase.
Florists recommend waiting at least 24 hours before mixing different types of cut flowers in the same vase. But these flowers, though, are still better off in a separate vase.
Though daffodils don’t like their beauty being overwhelmed by other flowers in the same vase, they are great companion plants to grow alongside other bulbs.
Adding daffodils to a combination of tulips, hyacinths, and crocuses can accentuate your spring garden’s look tremendously. And since you’re not cutting the stems of Narcissus while planting, they won’t release any sap that could harm neighbouring plants.
Garden’s line of defence
Although they are inedible, Narcissi offer a variety of purposes around the garden and farm.
The huge bulbs will deter burrowing animals like voles, moles, and gophers. The above-ground components will do their part to persuade our grazing friends, such as deer and squirrels, to look elsewhere for food rather than in our beloved garden.
Aside from this, the narcissus bulbs’ underground roots are activated during the springtime.
They are super effective in soaking up and storing the moisture and nutrients brought by the first spring rains, which may then be used by other plants later in the growing season.
More importantly, their complex root systems greatly assist in soil stabilization and the prevention of topsoil loss during wet spring weather.
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