Ismene narcissiflora (Jacq.) M.Roem.

The strap-like basal leaves sheath at the base to form a false stem, the flowering stems bearing umbels of up to 6 strongly scented white flowers, sometimes striped green.  To 60cm.  [RHSE, Hortus, Baker Am.].  

Horticultural & Botanical History

First botanically described by Jacquin as Pancratium narcissiflorum in 1807 [Jacquin p.68/1807]. Placed in Ismene by Max Roemer in 1847 [Fam. Nat. Syn. Monogr. vol.4, p.186/1847].

Introduced to Britain in 1800.  [JD].  ‘The genus Ismene is distinguished from Hymenocallis and Pancratium by a curved tube, and round green seeds, and from Hymenocallis by its short conniving filaments, of which the upper three dip into the cup. […] The species of Ismene are, 1. Amancaes; 2. calathina; 3. nutans; which last is figured in this work, No. 1561, unde the name of P. calathinum, which was afterwards corrected.   The genus Ismene requires complete rest and drought in the winter; it thrives in the greenhouse, if not started too early in the season, better than in the stove.  [William Herbert in BM t.2685/1826].  FS f.440/1849.  

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [B.266/1845].

Notes

Published May 17, 2009 - 01:03 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2012 - 12:18 PM

Shown are a line drawing of the whole plant, leaves and white, daffodil-like flowers. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.1224/1809.

Ismene narcissiflora (Jacq.) M.Roem. | BM t.2685/1826 as Ismene calathina | BHL

 

More details about Ismene narcissiflora (Jacq.) M.Roem.
Family Amaryllidaceae
Category
Region of origin

Peru
Synonyms
  • Hymenocallis narcissiflora (Jacq.) J.F.Macbr.
  • Hymenocallis calathina (Herb.) G.Nicholson
  • Ismene calathina Herb.
  • Ismene tagliabuei M.Roem.
  • Pancratium calathinum Ker Gawl.
  • Pancratium narcissiflorum Jacq.
  • Siphotoma calathina (Herb.) Raf.

 
Common Name

Peruvian daffodil
Name in the Camden Park Record

Ismene calathina 

 
Confidence level high