Narcissus papyraceus Ker-Gawl.

Horticultural & Botanical History

First botanically described as Narcissus papyraceus by Ker-Gawler in 1806  [BM t.947/1806].

‘Very probably this, or the variety gamma of Narcissus orientalis, may have been the plant designed by Linnaeus for the type of his Tazeta, as likely indeed as the one we have given under that title; but, as he has evidently combined more than one species in his synonymy, we have thought it most useful to apply his name to the one which had been already figured under it in Redoute's work, and to adopt another for this plant, which we think distinct. Our species is possibly the crenulatus of Mr. Haworth, but his character is too short and indefinite to enable us to determine this fact, with certainty. Differs from Tazeta in having a shallower crown, with an erosely crenulate margin, a very much flattened ancipital scape, a smaller bulb, and an entirely white or a cream-coloured corona. The bulbs of this plant are usually imported by the owners of Italian warehouses immediately from Italy.  Very ornamental and fragrant, especially (beta) called in the shops the Roman Narcissus, which is often imported in a double state.’  [BM t.947/1806]. 

‘This is likewise tender, but so beautiful, that it deserves all the care and labour a gardener can bestow.  The leaves are very glaucous, forming a strong contrast to those of other plants, and the flowers are produced in large bunches, their delicate snow-white petals hanging lightly in the air, which they fill with perfume, resembling those of Jasmine.  In naming it therefore, instead of our shopmen’s vulgar comparison of Paper White, I have adopted L’Ecluse’s more appropriate one, which is in fact likewise a specific character.  It is probably wild near some of the coasts of Asia Minor, having been sent from Constantinople to Brussels in 1597; but the Dutch florists never succeeded in cultivating it, and we are still, as formerly, supplied with the bulbs from Italy.’  [THS vol.1 p.360/1805-1812].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [B.346/1843].

Notes