Daffodil Classification

What exactly is "Daffodil Classification"? Isn't a daffodil a daffodil? So what's a narcissus? Or a jonquil? And what about buttercups? All those terms refer to the same plants. Narcissus is the Latin, botanical name for all of them; and daffodil is the common English name. Jonquils and buttercups are terms sometimes used in various parts of the United States.

So why do we need a classification system? And who decides what it is? Mostly, we need it for exhibiting daffodils, so that like competes with like. It also makes talking about the various types of daffodils much simpler. It's used in catalogs, again listing similar plants together. The Royal Horticultural Society in England is the registration authority for daffodils. (There is a registration authority for most plant families, the purpose being to avoid duplication of names.) As registration authority, the RHS, through its Narcissus Classification Advisory Committee, contacts national plant societies-like the American Daffodil Society-for input when changes are suggested. When a consensus is reached, the classification system may be amended or changed. It was last changed in July 1998. This same committee acts on requests to change the classification of individual flowers, either at the request of the breeder, or at the request of others who are growing the flower. Changes are not arbitrary or hastily made.

When daffodils are registered, they are registered with a "color code." This is a combination of numbers and letters which serve to describe the flower. The numbers range from 1 to 13, and the letters used are Y, W, G, P, O, and R, for yellow, white, green, pink, orange, and red. The numbers refer to the divisions (see below), and the letters are separated by a hyphen. Letters in front of the hyphen indicate the color of the perianth, or petals, and letters after the hyphen indicate the color of the corona, or cup. If more than one letter is used to describe the color, they are read from left to right: YYW-WWY indicates a flower with a yellow perianth with white at the base, and a white cup with yellow at the rim.

We'll talk more about the various types of daffodils in the coming months.

Following is the official classification system of The Royal Horticultural Society:

DAFFODIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM July, 1998

Whether of wild or cultivated origin, once a selection has been distinguished by a cultivar name it should be assigned to Divisions 1-12. Daffodils distinguished solely by botanical name should be assigned to Division 13.

Notes 1. The characteristics for Divisions 5 to 10 are given for guidance only; they are not all necessarily expected to be present in every cultivar assigned to those divisions.

Division 1 - Trumpet Daffodil Cultivars One flower to a stem; corona ("trumpet") as long as, or longer than the perianth segments ("petals")

Division 2 - Large-Cupped Daffodil Cultivars One flower to a stem; corona ("cup") more than one-third, but less than equal to the length of the perianth segments ("petals")

Division 3 - Small-Cupped Daffodil Cultivars One flower to a stem; corona ("cup") not more than one-third the length of the perianth segments ("petals")

Division 4 - Double Daffodil Cultivars One or more flowers to a stem, with doubling of the perianth segments or the corona or both

Division 5 - Triandrus Daffodil Cultivars Characteristics of N. triandrus clearly evident: usually two or more pendent flowers to a stem; perianth segments reflexed

Division 6 - Cyclamineus Daffodil Cultivars Characteristics of N. cyclamineus clearly evident: one flower to a stem; perianth segments significantly reflexed; flower at an acute angle to the stem, with a very short pedicel ("neck")

Division 7 - Jonquilla and Apodanthus Daffodil Cultivars Characteristics of Sections Jonquilla or Apodanthi clearly evident: one to five (rarely eight) flowers to a stem; perianth segments spreading or reflexed; corona cup-shaped, funnel-shaped or flared, usually wider than long; flowers usually fragrant

Division 8 - Tazetta Daffodil Cultivars Characteristics of Section Tazettae clearly evident: usually three to twenty flowers to a stout stem; perianth segments spreading not reflexed; flowers usually fragrant

Division 9 - Poeticus Daffodil Cultivars Characteristics of the N. poeticus group: usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments pure white; corona very short or disc-shaped, usually with a green and/or yellow centre and a red rim, but sometimes of a single colour; flowers usually fragrant

Division 10 - Bulbocodium Daffodil Cultivars Characteristics of Section Bulbocodium clearly evident: usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments insignificant compared with the dominant corona; anthers dorsifixed (ie attached more or less centrally to the filament); filament and style usually curved

Division 11 - Split Corona Daffodil Cultivars Corona split - usually for more than half its length

a) Collar Daffodils Split-corona daffodils with the corona segments opposite the perianth segments; the corona segments usually in two whorls of three

b) Papillon Daffodils Split-corona daffodils with the corona segments alternate to the perianth segments; the corona segments usually in a single whorl of six

Division 12 - Other Daffodil Cultivars Daffodil cultivars which do not fit the definition of any other division

Division 13 - Daffodils Distinguished Solely by Botanical Name